Miami Arson Attorney

A fire can be a scary situation to deal with. A fire can spread very quickly, especially in dry conditions, causing damage to buildings, trees, animals, and people.

While most fires are unintentional, some are started on purpose. This is called arson. Arson refers to the reckless or intentional setting of fires. It’s a crime that comes with serious legal consequences.

Why would people intentionally start fires? Arson can be motivated by various factors, but insurance fraud is the biggest reason. A person may set fire to their vehicle or property and then file a claim for compensation. Other reasons include revenge, vandalism, and starting a fire to cover up another crime.

Arson is considered a serious crime because it often has devastating consequences on property owners and communities. Arson can disrupt communities, cause financial hardship, undermine feelings of safety and security, and even lead to burns and death.

Arson is often a felony. You could be facing many years in prison for this crime. A Miami arson attorney from Asilia Law Firm can pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

Types of Arson 

First-degree arson. For a person to be charged with first-degree arson, the state must meet its burden. It must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did one of the following:

• Willfully and unlawfully caused a fire or explosion
• Caused a fire or explosion while committing a felony
• Damaged an occupied or unoccupied dwelling or its contents
• Caused a fire or explosion to a structure (such as a store or office building) during normal hours of occupancy when people are normally present
• Caused a fire or explosion to any structure that the person knew was occupied by a person

A conviction for first-degree arson can potentially result in a 30-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. If the arson results in a death, additional serious charges such as murder may be added.

Second-degree arson. For a person to be charged with second-degree arson, the state must prove that the defendant did one of the following:

• Willfully and unlawfully caused a fire or explosion
• Damaged a structure belonging to themselves or someone else while committing a felony

A conviction for second-degree arson can result in 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Arson-related offenses may also include the following:

• Arson resulting in injury to a person
• Preventing extinguishment of a fire
• False alarms of fires
• Fire bombs

Contact Asilia Law Firm Today

Intentionally setting fire to a structure is a serious crime that is punished harshly. Many people do it for financial reasons, but this is fraud and will result in prison time.

If you have been charged with this crime, you need to act quickly. You need timely intervention, negotiation, and preparation from a Miami arson attorney from Asilia Law Firm. Don’t delay, contact us today. Schedule a consultation by calling (786) 420-3014 or filling out the online form.