Have you been charged with Arson? Do you need a criminal defense attorney to help you with criminal arson charges in Southern California? If you have been charged or are being investigated for arson it is advisable to consult a knowledgeable criminal attorney to make sure your interests are properly protected. An attorney can help you with analyzing the charges filed against you and mounting a competent legal defense. You have rights. An attorney in our office is knowledgeable with these issues and can help you to resolve your criminal legal problems. If you require the services of a criminal defense attorney please feel free to contact our orange County office. We have a lawyer who can assist you with your legal problems.

Below please find the California statutory laws on Arson. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact a criminal defense attorney in our Orange County office for a consultation with a lawyer.

Arson: California Penal Code Section 451

California Penal Code Section 451 defines Arson as follows: 451. A person is guilty of arson when he or she willfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of, any structure, forest land, or property. (a) Arson that causes great bodily injury is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for five, seven, or nine years. (b) Arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for three, five, or eight years. (c) Arson of a structure or forest land is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, four, or six years. (d) Arson of property is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two, or three years. For purposes of this paragraph, arson of property does not include one burning or causing to be burned his or her own personal property unless there is an intent to defraud or there is injury to another person or another person's structure, forest land, or property. (e) In the case of any person convicted of violating this section while confined in a state prison, prison road camp, prison forestry camp, or other prison camp or prison farm, or while confined in a county jail while serving a term of imprisonment for a felony or misdemeanor conviction, any sentence imposed shall be consecutive to the sentence for which the person was then confined.

At common law Arson was defined as (1) the malicious (2) burning (3) of the dwelling (4) of another.

California Statutory law has modified the common law requirements for Arson.

If you require the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer for Arson related criminal charges, please feel free to contact a criminal attorney in our Orange County office for further help.