Arson charges in Louisville, KY, can result in severe criminal penalties. Because arson causes substantial financial losses, property owners and insurance providers have a vested interest in identifying the source of the fire. Law enforcement agencies aggressively investigate fires to determine if arson is the cause.
If you are charged with arson, you need an experienced criminal defense law firm representing you. At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. Our legal team has a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system, with former prosecutors and police officers on our team.
Contact us at (502) 371-7000 to schedule your free consultation with a Louisville arson lawyer.
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How Our Criminal Defense Attorneys at Suhre & Associates Can Help You With an Arson Charge in Louisville, Kentucky
Buildings and homes catch on fire for numerous reasons. In some situations, an innocent person is blamed for causing the fire. If so, it could result in arson charges. If you are under investigation for arson or arrested for arson in Louisville, seek prompt legal advice to protect your rights.
When you hire our top-rated Louisville criminal defense attorneys to handle your case, we will:
- Complete a thorough investigation into the circumstances that resulted in your arson charges
- Explain the charges against you and the potential penalties for a conviction
- Monitor arson investigations by law enforcement agencies
- Gather evidence to support your defense, including working with expert witnesses as necessary
- Develop a defense based on the evidence and facts of your case
- Advocate for you during plea negotiations and at trial
Our criminal attorneys have national recognition for their legal services. We also have top ratings from organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, and Avvo. Expertise.com has named us among the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Louisville.
Call Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced arson lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky.
Arson Charges in Louisville, KY
Generally, arson is the crime of starting a fire or explosion to destroy property or buildings. Kentucky has three degrees of arson. Arson charges are not wobblers. All three degrees of arson are felony offenses instead of misdemeanors.
Each offense has separate legal elements the state must prove for a conviction. The different degrees of arson also have separate penalties.
Third Degree Arson Charges
Third-degree arson is the least serious arson charge a person can face. It is a Class D felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of one to five years and a fine of $10,000.
A person is charged with third-degree arson if they wantonly cause damage or destruction to a building by intentionally causing an explosion or starting a fire. The statute provides a defense if you were the only person to own an interest in the building or if all other persons with an interest in the building consented to your conduct.
Second Degree Arson Charges
Second-degree arson is a Class B felony offense. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of ten to 20 years and a fine of $10,000.
You can be charged with second-degree arson if you cause an explosion or start a fire to damage or destroy a building that:
- Belongs to another person; or,
- Belongs to you or another person with the intent to collect insurance proceeds for a loss.
It is a defense to this charge if you owned the building or had permission from everyone who owned the building to start the fire. Your sole intent must have been to damage or destroy the building for a lawful purpose. Insurance fraud would not be a lawful purpose.
First Degree Arson Charges
First-degree arson is a Class A felony offense. A conviction for first-degree arson can result in a prison sentence of 20 to 50 years and a fine of $10,000.
You can be charged with first-degree arson if you cause an explosion or start a fire with the intent to damage or destroy a building and:
- The building is occupied or inhabited, or you had a reason to believe the building was occupied or inhabited; or,
- A person sustains serious physical injury because of the explosion or fire or the firefighting of the fire.
The statute does not provide a defense if you are the owner of the building or have permission from the owners to burn the building. The fact someone was injured because of your conduct is a serious aggravating factor.
You Could Face Other Criminal Charges Related to Arson
You may face multiple charges for arson. If someone died because of the fire, the state may add murder charges. You could also face insurance fraud charges if you are accused of burning down a property for the insurance proceeds. To fight these charges adequately, you need an attorney who has experience in a wide variety of criminal law matters.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Louisville Arson Attorneys
Our legal team aggressively defends you against all criminal charges related to arson. Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a free case review with a Louisville arson attorney. We provide trusted legal advice and support as you navigate the criminal charges against you.
