Arson There's No Alternative

Orange County Arson Lawyers

Arson Cases Also in Riverside, San Bernardino & Los Angeles

Individuals facing criminal arson charges encounter an uphill battle. Over the last decade, California has suffered several fires that have resulted in the loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage. California courts will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law, as politicians and law enforcement officials may try to make an example of you and your alleged crimes.

Hiring an arson defense lawyer in Orange County can be stressful, but failing to hire one can lead to a devastating experience. At The Law Offices of Randy Collins, we're here to help.Whether this is your first run-in with the police, or you have been charged before, a conviction for fire-related offenses can negatively affect many aspects of your life. In California, all forms of arson can become a “strike” on your record and, if convicted, can be used against you in court proceedings to enhance future sentences.

If you’ve been accused, contact the Law Offices of Randy Collins at (844) 285-9559 for a free case evaluation. Getting the right information at the beginning of your criminal proceedings can make a substantial difference.

How Does California Define Arson?

Under Arson Penal Code 451, it’s an offense for someone to deliberately or recklessly set fire to property other than their own.

In California, malicious offenses under California Penal Code 451 are regarded as felonies.

The penalties for this crime depend on:

The property class
Whether someone was injured
The severity of injuries

Intentional offenses are penalized by:

Prison time between 16 months and 9 years
Fine of up to $50,000
Evaluation by a psychiatrist
Registration as a local offender

California’s Reckless Burning Law

Reckless arson is treated differently under California Penal Code 452. This involves setting fire to a property or place through reckless acts. This isn’t to be confused with negligence. The prosecution aims to prove that a reckless offender reacted to a fire differently from how a reasonable person would think or react in that same situation.

For example, someone at a gas station lights a cigar, knowing full well the impact it might have on the entire property and people surrounding the area.

To determine the penalties under California Penal Code 452, the judge will order the offender to undergo an evaluation with a certified psychologist.

Penalties for reckless burning can be either:

Misdemeanor Arson Charges in California

Up to 1 year in jail
Up to $1,000 in fines
Informal probation

Felony Arson Charges in California

Between 16 months and 9 years in prison
Up to $50,000 in fines
Registration as a local offender

California Aggravated Arson Charges

In addition to felony penalties outlined above, aggravated charges can result in a consecutive 1- to 5- year prison sentence if there are aggravated circumstances.

Aggravating factors can include:

A prior conviction for a malicious or reckless offense
A peace officer injured or died due to the fire
Multiple buildings were burnt
Multiple similar offenses within ten years
More than five inhabited buildings were destroyed

Registration as an Arson Offender in CA

Under California law, the following individuals have to register as an offender:

Those found guilty and have received at least 10 years in prison
Those found in possession of or who had been manufacturing certain related weapons and materials
Those who attempted to start fires

Let’s examine related offenses and how sentencing can be enhanced for them:

PC 187 First-Degree Murder Resulting from Fire

If someone dies as a result of the defendant’s conduct, they can also face first-degree murder charges. Conviction penalties include:

Up to 25 years in prison,
Life imprisonment, or
Death penalty

Insurance Fraud in an Arson Case

If someone owns a property and intentionally sets fire to it to collect funds, prosecutors will charge offenders with insurance fraud as well.

Possible Arson Defense Strategies in California

Defense strategies for arson charges differ greatly depending upon the circumstance of each case. There are some situations where the arson was accidental, in which case there may be a possibility for a dismissal. There are also instances where the defendant is not guilty of arson, but the facts seem to imply otherwise. An experienced Orange County arson lawyer can examine the details and help secure lower fines and sentencing.

Some of the top legal defenses in an arson case include:

The fire was accidental – fines are higher for malicious offenses, as seen above.
Not enough evidence – if the prosecution doesn’t build a strong case of evidence, and the facts are purely circumstantial, this is seen as inadequate evidence.
Mistaken identity – someone else started it.

An Orange County arson attorney will conduct independent investigative work to examine some of the tell-tale signs of fire offenses, and the loopholes in the accusation.

Common signs include:

Broken glass windows or doors
Copper wiring or steel that was melted
Gas containers and more

Hire an Orange County Arson Defense Attorney for Your Case

Don’t let your charges spiral out of control. Take advantage of a free case evaluation from one of our skilled Orange County arson attorneys and find out what your options are. Our experienced lawyers will help you understand your charges and get an idea of what you can expect moving forward. We have assisted more than 10,000 clients over the past several decades and will use our skills and experience to work toward a favorable outcome on your behalf.

To speak with a member of our Orange County arson defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Randy Collins, call (844) 285-9559 or submit an online contact form today.

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WHY WE'RE THE RIGHT CHOICE

Over 45 years of Collective Experience
Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled
Former Deputy District Attorney
Impressive Track Record of Results
Highly Respected by Peers and Clients
Free Initial Consultation

GET DEFENSE FROM AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM OF ATTORNEYS

Over the years our firm has earned numerous awards and accolades for delivering outstanding legal representation. Some of our awards include: Admission to The National Top Trial Lawyers Association since 2014, AVVO Rating 10.0 Superb Rating, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys Award "10 Best Attorney Client Satisfaction" in 2018, Nationally Ranked Top 100 Under 40 in California Attorney Award in 2017, Member of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce since 2018, Martindale-Hubbell Accredited Law Firm, Distinguished in Orange County Metro "Top Attorneys" section, and Featured in Orange Coast Magazine in April 2010 as one of "Orange County's Best Criminal Defense Attorneys".

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I was new in the US and I didn’t know anything or what to do from Day 1 from presenting my case to Randy. He reassured me that he would help me and that I shouldn’t worry. He was very supportive, responsive to every question no matter how silly it was he was very patient and comforting. He knew exactly how to address the problem and had a plan of action and after a long 2 years, he won my case I appreciate every effort Randy & Chris have done. They are such a great team to work with and I would recommend him in a heartbeat

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Randy is one of the best attorneys you could ever have. I’m eternally grateful to Randy and his team for his dedication and professionalism. Randy is very brilliant when it comes to felonies, probation violations, or other criminal cases... Randy is the best lawyer you can have. when other lawyers told me they couldn’t help me out... Randy always told me he can help me and there was never an impossible case to bring in his favor. He was always in touch and keeping me updated on my case, and he gave me the peace and comfort I needed during difficult times. This is the second time he has had to help me stay away from jail. I will never look into other lawyers. I’ll be a loyal client to Randy from now on. You are #1, Randy. Thank you

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I cannot express how grateful I am to Randy and his team for the amazing job representing my dad. He was detailed, dedicated, and truly caring for my family throughout the entire process. We are forever thankful to have found Randy. It is rare to find a legal team that feels like extended family. We truly felt so cared for by him and Chris. His knowledge and expertise helped guide us through a very difficult situation and we are so happy to have found this team. I would refer Randy to anyone looking for legal representation. Randy is the best lawyer to call!!

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