Tonya Couch is the mother of the now infamous “affluenza” teen Ethan Couch. He was given 10 years of probation in lieu of jail time after a 2013 drunk driving incident that killed 4 people. The defense argued that the teen suffered from affluenza and was unable to determine right from wrong. Ethan and his mother were found in Mexico late last year after the teen skipped probation. Tonya is accused of hindering apprehension of a fugitive and originally had her bond set at $1 million after being extradited from Mexico to the United States. According to the Tarrant County District Attorney, Couch was given a high bond to assure her presence at all future court dates. A judge reduced the bond to $75,000, which she posted immediately. The judge is requiring that as a condition of her release she must wear a GPS monitor, submit to drug and alcohol tests and have weekly check-ins.
Couch is expected to appear at a Tarrant County Courthouse on January 14. Ethan Couch is currently being held at the Agujas immigration detention center in Mexico. The teen’s deportation has been blocked by an injunction. A date for deportation to the United States has not been set and may not be secured for quite some time.
Understanding Bail Reduction in Criminal Cases
Understanding your rights when it comes to bail can be crucial to your case. You may be entitled to request a reduction in your bail depending on the circumstances of your case. A qualified criminal defense attorney can request a bond hearing on your behalf. At this hearing he or she can present evidence as to why the original bail amount was excessive and should be reduced. It is important to note that a prosecutor may also ask for a bond hearing to request an increase in the amount of bail. A judge takes into consideration all of the evidence presented and either approves or denies the request of the attorney. To learn more about posting bail and bond hearings, contact Premiere Bail Bonds at (800) 662-0056 today. Our agents are fully licensed and can assist you with all bail inquiries. It is imperative to act fast. Call our offices today.