If you or someone you love has been accused of arson in Castle Rock, you need strong legal counsel on your side immediately. Arson allegations can totally disrupt and devastate your life. At Right Law Group, we have decades of experience successfully defending clients against complex arson charges across Colorado. Our Castle Rock arson lawyers will thoroughly examine the prosecution’s evidence, build a tireless defense, and negotiate aggressively for the best possible outcome in your case.
Simply put, arson occurs when someone knowingly damages any property by means of fire or explosives. However, there are a number of factors that determine the specific degree of arson charges and the associated penalties:
| Degree | Definition | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| First-degree arson | Knowingly damaging someone’s building or occupied structure by fire or explosives without consent | 4-12 years in prison |
| Second-degree arson | Knowingly damaging someone’s property other than a building or occupied structure without consent | 10 days in jail – 24 years in prison, depending on the value of damages |
| Third-degree arson | Intentionally damaging a property with fire or explosives with the intent to defraud | 2-6 years in prison |
| Fourth-degree arson | Knowingly or recklessly burning property that places another in danger of serious bodily injury or death or places a building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage | 2-6 years in prison |
In addition to a possible prison sentence, those convicted of arson in Colorado face substantial fines and restitution to cover the cost of damaged property and fire response. These financial penalties can easily reach six or seven figures for higher degrees of arson.
Fortunately, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can often get charges reduced or even dismissed by exposing flaws in the prosecution’s arson investigation and evidence. The stakes are incredibly high, so building an aggressive legal defense from day one is absolutely crucial.
If confronted with arson allegations, you must exercise your right to remain silent and immediately contact our law offices. The sooner we get involved, the more effectively we can construct your defense strategy.
An independent investigation by our firm could uncover important facts the police overlooked or willfully ignored. We’ll look closely at the fire marshal’s arson evidence and determine if the science truly stacks up. Any holes we find can weaken the D.A.’s case.
For example, we’ll scrutinize if all accidental or natural causes were adequately ruled out. Electrical faults, lightning strikes, and chemical reactions can all lead to fires mistaken for arson. If an arson finding rests on junk science or questionable techniques, we won’t hesitate to call in independent fire experts to challenge the prosecution’s conclusions.
With decades of combined experience, our Castle Rock criminal defense lawyers offer in-depth knowledge of Colorado’s complex arson laws and defense strategies.
Our firm includes attorneys who previously worked as prosecutors, so we understand precisely how the state builds an arson case. We know how law enforcement agencies and fire marshals work together to develop arson theories. This gives us unique insight into the weaknesses we can exploit to undermine the prosecution’s version of events.
Throughout your case, you’ll have a dedicated legal team providing personalized attention and clear guidance through every step of the process. We’ll explain the complex legal issues in easy terms, answer all of your questions, address any concerns, and provide the moral support you need during this highly stressful time. Our sole focus is achieving the most favorable result for you.
The legal stakes are extremely high when facing felony arson charges that could result in decades behind bars and massive financial penalties. But you don’t have to go through this fight alone. Right Law Group offers free case consultations to start building your custom-tailored defense strategy.
Schedule a free case review, and one of our Colorado arson defense attorneys will evaluate the prosecution’s evidence, discuss possible defenses, and provide our honest assessment of the most favorable outcome we can target, given the facts of your case.
If we identify weaknesses in the state’s arson case, we can immediately begin formulating an aggressive defense strategy focused on reasonable doubt. We’ll also initiate negotiations with the D.A. and work relentlessly to get charges reduced or dismissed through a plea bargain.
Working with a skilled arson defense attorney is essential when you’ve been charged with arson due to the severe penalties you could be facing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire marshal testimony often heavily influences arson trial outcomes. However, some investigative techniques, like burn pattern analysis, lack scientific rigor. An experienced legal team can scrutinize the objectivity of fire investigations to identify bias.
Acts of recklessness that unintentionally cause a fire may potentially lead to 3rd- or 4th-degree arson charges. But if you lacked any actual intent to cause damage, experienced arson defense attorneys can often defeat the charges.
Yes, prosecutors can charge juveniles as adults for arson depending on the degree of charges and the presence of any aggravating circumstances. Consulting an attorney is critical to avoid incumbent harsh penalties.
