The case against the Texas teenager who famously used an "affluenza" defense in a fatal drunk-driving crash will be moved to adult court, a judge ruled Friday.
Ethan Couch's transfer will become official at midnight on April 11 when he turns 19, the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office said. Until then, he remains in the juvenile system.
Couch faces jail time for possibly violating his probation after causing a car wreck that claimed the lives of four people and injured nine others.
The move to adult court means Couch could be sentenced to 120 days in jail if it's found he violated his 10-year probation, which runs through 2024. If he were to violate his probation again, he could be sentenced to 10 years in prison per each crash victim.
Related: 'Affluenza' Teen Ethan Couch Will Stay in Juvie For Now
In 2013, a 16-year-old Couch was arrested for driving drunk after plowing into a pickup truck full of people. A defense expert during his trial argued that his wealthy parents pampered him with their affluence, giving him a sense of irresponsibility. The teen managed to dodge jail time.
But late last year, a video online purportedly showed Couch playing beer pong — which would be in violation of his probation.
As authorities sought him for questioning, he and his mother went on the lam in Mexico for several weeks.
Law enforcement officials said mom Tonya Couch, 48, took $30,000 from a bank account and cut ties with her son's dad before they crossed the border.
Related: Tonya Couch, 'Affluenza' Teen's Mom, Is Allegedly Broke, Has Bond Reduced
The mother and son were eventually apprehended in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, and were extradited back to the United States.
Tonya Couch has been charged with hindering apprehension of her son, which carries a 10-year prison sentence. Her bond was set at $75,000 with the requirement that she wear an ankle monitor.
Ethan Couch's father, Fred Couch, declined to comment as he left the courthouse Friday.
