Savannah GA Arson Lawyer

Arson in Georgia

 

Arson is generally defined as the crime of setting fire to a structure or a patch of land or other form of private property with malicious and destructive intent. In Georgia there are three different classifications for arson, identified as first degree arson, second degree arson, and third degree arson. There is also a possibility of a charge of aggravated arson which would be considered in cases where an act of arson caused an injury, to an occupant of the structure or to an emergency respondent.

 

First degree arson involves setting fire to a structure that is actively in use, like someone's home or business or a public building or private meeting hall of some kind. A charge of first degree arson could also be leveled against someone who started a wildfire that resulted in a great deal of damage.

 

Second degree arson would apply to something like an old run down building of some sort that is presently unoccupied and uninhabitable, or some other structure like a shed or even in some instances a vehicle. Third degree arson would be reserved for setting fire to some other form of personal property of lesser value. One of the many reasons why people who are accused of arson need to retain the services of a competent Savannah Georgia criminal defense attorney as soon as they can is because your lawyer can make sure that you are being charged with the degree of arson that is appropriate given the gravity of the event.

 

One interesting aspect to the crime of arson is that it is a transgression aimed at property per se, not at any individual. So, someone could intentionally set their own home or business on fire and though it could be said that they are the victim, they are actually subject to arson charges.

 

Arson is a very serious offense that requires expert legal counsel that is experienced handling arson cases successfully. It can be difficult to get inside the head of an individual and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they set a fire intentionally if no one was there to witness it. First degree arson in Georgia carries with it a minimum of one year in prison up to twenty years at the judge's discretion, and fine involved can be as high as $50,000. These are some harsh potential penalties that should not be faced without the representation of a competent Georgia criminal defense lawyer.

 

If you are accused of arson in or near Savannah Georgia, then call an experienced arson defense lawyer in Savannah GA.