MARYLAND & VIRGINIA LAWYERS DEFEND ARSON CASES
Arson is usually defined in Virginia and Maryland as setting a deliberate and purposeful fire to a structure, building or piece of personal property. Arson is a felony with a very real risk of imprisonment if convicted.
There are three main reasons why most people commit arson in Virginia and Maryland. The first reason is for profit. Fire destroys, and if a building, dwelling or valuable piece of property is destroyed, then insurance claims can be made to cover the loss. If a piece of property or building in Virginia or Maryland has little or no financial value to the owner, but cannot be easily or profitably sold then some owners may take to arson to correct this problem. The insurance value may be worth more than the actual street value and setting an intentional fire will make it possible to file claims for complete loss of property.
Most people enjoy the comforts of a bonfire assuming it is controlled and not meant to harm anyone or anything. But the use of fire in a malicious and destructive way, regardless of whether anyone is actually hurt by the act, is considered arson and carries hard penalties. The Virginia arson statutes prohibit burning and bombing. A Virginia arson charge is a felony. Arson criminal charges can be a very terrifying experience.
The traditional Virginia arson charge prohibits the intentional burning of a dwelling. It does not matter if the burning or destruction was to the dwelling of another or the offender. The defendant is charged with the crime of arson. Arson is the willful and malicious setting fire to burning of a dwelling. In order to convict the defendant of arson, the state must prove that:
- The defendant set fire to or burned at least part of a dwelling
- The setting fire to or burning of the dwelling was willful and malicious.
These acts are the hardest to prevent or predict, as there is usually no other motive than the thrill of seeing something burn. Juveniles are especially prone to set fire to abandoned buildings. This is more than just a hoax gone haywire, since many times abandoned buildings house the homeless and setting a fire can be equivalent to committing murder.
It should be noted a person can be convicted of incendiarism even if they do not physically participate in actually setting the blaze. The laws in Virginia and Maryland clearly state that anyone who aids, counsels, or procures the materials to assist in the incendiarism is equally liable under the law.
A related crime is that of reckless firing. This involves illegally setting fire to something other than a building or dwelling such as leaves or trash. In Virginia and Maryland, reckless firing is considered a lesser charge.
If you need the help of an arson lawyer in Virginia in Fairfax, City of Fairfax, Prince William (Manassas), Fauquier (Warrenton), Loudoun (Leesburg), Caroline, Stafford, Spotsylvania (Fredericksburg), Chesterfield, Henrico, Arlington, Richmond, Alexandria, Warren (Front Royal), Clarke, Shenandoah, King George, Charles City, Frederick (Winchester), Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Hanover, Hopewell, James City, King & Queen, King William, New Kent, Newport News, Petersburg, Prince George, Rappahannock, York, call our law firm immediately for help and speak to a lawyer about your options. In Maryland, if you need the help of an arson lawyer in Maryland in Montgomery County, Charles County (Waldorf), Rockville, Bethesda, Howard County, Baltimore County, City of Baltimore, Anne Arundel County (Annapolis), Ellicott City or Frederick, do not hesitate to call us for a consultation.
The SRIS Law Group can help you best possible outcome based on the facts of your case. If you wish to consult an SRIS Law Group, P.C. Maryland or Virginia arson attorney, call us at 855-696-3348.
