AP News Guide: A look at the 'affluenza' teen case

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A Texas teenager who used an "affluenza" defense in a fatal drunken-driving wreck is set to appear in court for a hearing over whether his case should be transferred to the adult system.

[...] staying in juvenile court could set off a series of hearings that could potentially lead to 10 years in adult prison when he ages out of the juvenile system.

If Couch's case is moved, the judge could order him to spend up to 120 days in jail as part of an adult sentence related to the 2013 drunken-driving crash, and then finish the remainder of his 10-year probation.

The jail time would not be issued for any violation of his juvenile probation, such as fleeing to Mexico, but rather would be a condition of his adult probation.

If Couch is found to have violated probation, the judge could either sentence him to a state facility operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or leave him on juvenile probation until he turns 19.

Five court settings must take place before the trial begins unless she makes a plea, according to Tarrant County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Samantha Jordan.