Georgia Arson
In Georgia the criminal offense of arson requires the state to prove a person set fire and burned a structure or parts of the structure. The act of arson is intentional and therefore carries with it serious consequences in the State of Georgia. That's why if you are facing an arson charge, you should contact a Georgia arson lawyer immediately. When most people think of arson they picture a building or structure being completely destroyed by fire. However, arson does not refer only to that type of damage. Any amount of burning to a structure is arson if a fire was intentionally set. Even if the person meant to set the fire, but did not mean to burn a structure, the person may still be able to be charged with arson. A fire expert will survey the damage and will notify police whether or not they believe a fire to be the result of arson.
How is arson classified?
Setting fire to a residential home, church or school is considered 1 st degree arson, the most serious. If there is a structure that no one lives in such a condemned home, dumpster or vehicle, this is considered to be 2 nd degree arson. For items such as clothing and any other type of personal property, this is 3 rd degree arson. An interesting aspect of arson is that if there was an accomplice, this person will be charged with arson and not as an accessory to the crime. So if someone went along with a person and supplied the matches then handed them to the person who started the fire, that person can also be charged with arson.
Arson is also unique in that a person can be charged with burning down their own house or property, that is because arson is not a crime of ownership but of possession. Sometimes there are circumstances that may cause arson to be an aggravated charge. For example, if the fire was set to murder someone or if a firefighter is injured while trying to battle the flames, the person can be charged with aggravated arson.
If you have been charged with arson, you should hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to ensure that your case is represented by skilled and aggressive professionals. We will use our knowledge of Georgia criminal law to pursue all options to have your rights protected to the fullest extent possible. Contact us today!
