California Arson Lawyer
Have You Been Charged With Arson? Do Not Face This Charge Alone! Let WEBER LAW Help You Today!
Arson is a serious crime, no matter where you live. Specifically, in California, being found guilty of arson can come with a hefty fine and a lengthy imprisonment. There are different aspects to the crime of arson, all of which come with serious penalties. A charge of arson can have detrimental effects on your record, which can follow you for life. Do not face these charges alone; do not face the court room alone. Let Weber Law help you today!
California Arson Charges and Penalties
What is Arson?
In California, arson is willfully and maliciously setting fire to or burning, or causing to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of, any structure, forest land, or property.
Setting the town hall on fire, deliberately throwing a burning cigarette at cannisters of oxygen in a hospital, or even setting your neighbor’s car on fire with the intent of revenge are all good examples of willful and malicious intent to start a fire.
However, there is another part to the law against arson in California as well. Unlawfully causing a fire is when a person recklessly sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forest land, or property. A good example of this would be setting off a firework that starts a fire, or having a controlled brush fire that burns your neighbors shed down.
What is the Punishment?
There are different punishments depending on the severity of the crime regarding arson.
• Arson that causes serious bodily injury is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 5 to 9 years.
• Arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 3 to 8 years.
• Arson of a structure or forest land is punishable by imprisonment for 2 to 6 years.
• Arson of property is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 16 months to 3 years.
It is important to note that a person cannot be charged with arson of property if they were burning or causing to burn their own personal property, unless the intent of the arson is to defraud or if there is injury to another person or another person’s structure, forest land, or property. So, if you are burning your house down for the insurance money, you could be charged with arson, or if you are burning your house down not for insurance money and your neighbor’s house catches on fire as a result, that would also be classified as arson.
The punishment for unlawfully causing a fire is similar depending on the severity of the fire caused.
• Unlawfully causing a fire that causes great bodily injury is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 2 to 6 years, a fine, or both.
• Unlawfully causing a fire that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn is a felony punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 4 years, a fine, or both.
• Unlawfully causing a fire of a structure or forest land is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 16 months to 3 years, a fine, or both.
• Unlawfully causing a fire of property is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on an arson charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
How Can You Fight A Charge Of Arson And How Can WEBER LAW Help You?
It can be scary and nerve wracking to have criminal charges on your record, but it has an added severity when you could be facing almost a decade in prison. The court system can be intimidating, and without good legal help, the consequences can be devastating. Our experienced team is comfortable looking at evidence, negotiating potential plea agreements, and defending you in court. There are ways to fight the charge of arson and unlawfully causing a fire. Additionally, Weber Law will look at all the evidence to give you the best defense possible, such as being falsely accused, not acting recklessly, or even not meaning to defraud. Weber Law will work to lower your charge or sentence. We will fight for you to keep your record clean. Arson, no matter the circumstances, is not a charge that you want to fight alone; let our team of experienced attorneys help you navigate the criminal justice system. If you or someone you know has been charged with arson in the state of California, contact Weber Law for your free consultation today.
CA Penal Code § 451, Arson of structure, forest land or property; great bodily injury; inhabited structure or property; owned property; punishment.
CA Penal Code § 452, Unlawfully causing a fire of any structure, forest land or property; great bodily injury; inhabited structure or property; punishment
A Los Angeles, California Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
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80 South Lake Ave. Ste. 590, Pasadena, California 91101