Arson

Have you been charged with arson?

Arson is a very serious criminal charge that involves the intentional setting of fire to a dwelling, structure, or other wilderness area.  Generally speaking, if the fire was set without permission, with unlawful intent and it destroyed property, then criminal charges can be filed.  Depending on the extent of damage that was caused by the fire and whether any injuries or deaths were involved, charges can escalate in severity and in possible repercussions if convicted.  If you are facing a federal arson charge, it is wise to be in immediate touch with us for valuable legal guidance.

In addition to being prosecutable on the state level, arson can also be pursued as a federal crime.  Federal arson laws focus on incidents, realized or attempted, that impact interstate or foreign commerce.  If you were found to be in possession of explosives or other unregistered incendiary devices that could lead to a fire, you could also face federal charges.  ATF agents will investigate whether such explosives , accelerants or devices were transported across state lines.  Depending on whether charges are “base level” or enhanced by other circumstances, possible punishments can vary widely.   A federal arson conviction carries a minimum of 5 years in prison and maximum of 20 years.  If someone was injured during the commission of the crime, the sentence will range from 7-40 years.  If a death occurs while committing arson, a conviction can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

If you have been charged with arson at the federal level, these charges should be taken very seriously.  We at McLane, Bednarski & Litt, LLP, have over 61 years of collective experience in helping clients aggressively defend against both state and federal charges.  Our team specializes in complex federal criminal defense and can work diligently to protect your legal rights and best interests.

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