Defending Charges of Arson

Arson is a serious crime, committed more than 500,000 times across the country annually and costing more than $2 billion in property damage. The structures involved in these fires included homes, warehouses, churches, commercial buildings, public buildings, and more. Sometimes these fires take place in fields or forests; other times they may involve a vehicle. Whatever the situation, arson always poses a danger to property, people, and animals.

What is Arson? 

The FBI defines arson as any deliberate or malicious attempt to burn property. The chances of being targeted for arson in the north Las Vegas area is just 1:4,570, while it’s as high as 1:852 in central neighborhoods.

What Motivates Arsonists? 

There are many reasons some people are drawn to the crime of arson:

• Retaliation: Sometimes a person who feels misjudged or unfairly treated seeks revenge for perceived wrongs;
• Vandalism: For some, arson is just another form of malicious mischief;
• Attention seeking: Some arsonists wish to be near the excitement in order to share in the awe of an event;
• Financial gain: In some cases, people burn their own property in order to collect a big insurance settlement;
• Concealing a crime: Fires may be used by some individuals as a way to destroy evidence connected to other crimes, such as theft or murder.
• Mental health issues: A psychological condition called pyromania inflicts some who seem to derive excitement and pleasure from starting fires;
• Extremist ideologies: Some people feel justified in igniting fires related to their political, religious, or social beliefs;
• Hero complex: Some people set fires to create a dangerous situation that they can then rescue others from, thereby gaining a hero status.

Facts Worth Knowing 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports the following:

• Arson—deliberate fires– is the number one cause of fire property damage and the number two cause of fire-related death in the U.S.
• 25 percent of fires in this country are arson (500 million).
• Just 16 percent of arson cases ever result in arrest, and a mere two percent of those arrested are ever convicted of the crime.
• More than half of arsonists are under the age of 18.
• Nearly 90 percent of arsonists are male.
• About one-third of dormitory fires are arson.
• The link between illicit drug activity and arson is growing, with about a quarter of arson cases related to drugs.

Have You Been Charged with Arson? 

The penalties for arson involve significant prison time, fines, and restitution. If you are facing arson charges, you need an aggressive, dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorney fighting for your rights. At Lobo Law, that is exactly what we can provide. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation today.

Source:

ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/arson