PROTECTING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED
If you have been charged with arson, it is vital you contact a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney immediately. Under Nevada law, arson is a felony; therefore, a conviction can have a lasting effect on your life—even beyond the sentenced punishment. Having a felony on your record affects your civil rights and even your ability to obtain employment or housing.
Although accidental fires are not considered arson, in certain circumstances you may be charged if you lit a lawful fire that ultimately proceeded to destroy property. You also do not have be the person who actually lit the fire, but can be charged for helping to arrange it or for attempting it.
Arson can be charged in any of four degrees. The main deciding factors include what kind of property was burned and whether or not it was occupied at the time. The severity of penalties can be affected not only by these factors but by whether or not anyone was injured, as well as any previous criminal record. Penalties can involve up to 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.
Are you facing federal arson charges
Federal arson charges involve the intentional or malicious burning or attempted burning of federal property, as well as an act of arson that affects interstate or foreign commerce, including buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and dwellings. The federal crime of arson is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison. If the crime also resulted in injuries, the length of incarceration will run from 7 to 40 years. Any fatalities that resulted from the arson could lead to life imprisonment.
High-Quality Arson Defense in Nevada
At Okabe & Haushalter, our experience with arson cases means we are ready to aggressively represent you from the onset. We can conduct our own investigation of the facts of the case in an attempt to find evidence or facts that will absolve you. We can bring in experts as needed to review the scene of the alleged crime as well as other details of the case.
Arson is a relatively difficult charge to prove as it relies on establishing the intent of the accused. If we are able to introduce any reasonable doubt that you acted willfully and maliciously not just negligently or recklessly, if at all, this by law must protect you from conviction.
Contact a Las Vegas arson lawyer for legal representation if you are facing charges.
California Laws & Penalties for Arson
In our state, arson is defined as the intentional and malicious burning of a structure, land, or forest. This includes your own property if you do so with the intent to commit insurance fraud. You can also be charged for aiding or assisting someone else in the commission of arson. The penalties for arson are extremely severe, and they can increase depending on several factors.
Penalties for arson include the following:
- Burning Another Person’s Property – Up To 3 Years In Prison
- Burning Forest Land Or An Uninhabited Structure – Up To 6 Years In State Prison
- Burning An Inhabited Structure – Up To 8 Years In State Prison
- Committing Arson That Involves Great Bodily Injury – Up To 9 Years In State Prison
Up to 5 additional years of incarceration may be levied for arson crimes that involve:
- Previous Arson Violations
- Burning Of Multiple Structures
- Great Bodily Injury To A Firefighter Or Officer Of The Peace
Charged with arson in Las Vegas
Okabe & Haushalter is a team composed of high-powered defense attorneys who have made it their life’s work to defend the rights of the accused. Our firm understands the personal and legal urgencies associated with criminal trials. By working closely with clients, we can build strong arson defenses. We do not back down from the prosecution when we know we have a chance; because of this, our firm has secured many dismissals and not guilty verdicts for clients. Our experienced attorneys are ready to provide you with a tireless legal defense that will maximize your chances of a positive case outcome. If you are facing charges for arson, it is crucial that you contact us as soon as possible to act as your legal advocate throughout this crucial time.