Being charged with a crime in Cincinnati, OH, especially with one as serious as arson, isn’t something anyone ever wants to face. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s essential to make sure you’re working with an experienced Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer who can help you fight these charges.
For help with arson charges or another criminal matter in Cincinnati, Ohio, contact our experienced team from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers at (513) 333-0014 to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati arson lawyer.
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How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help If You’re Arrested for Arson
If you’re a defendant arrested for Arson in Cincinnati, Ohio, working with a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer is the best way to defend yourself. Here’s how our lawyers can help you:
- We will schedule a free consultation with you where we can get your side of the story, which may be very different from what the prosecutor is claiming.
- Our lawyers will review all evidence from the prosecutor and, with the help of our team, conduct our own comprehensive investigation.
- We will negotiate with prosecutors to try to achieve a favorable plea deal that can reduce your charges or result in lenient sentences.
- If you choose not to take a plea deal or one isn’t offered, we will fight for your case at trial.
For help with an arson case in Cincinnati, contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati felony attorney.
Overview of Arson in Ohio
In Ohio, a person can be charged with arson if they knowingly cause or create a significant risk of physical harm by starting a fire or causing an explosion. This can occur when they damage someone else’s property without consent, aim to commit fraud by damaging their own or another’s property, target public buildings, or set fire to natural areas like parks or woods, whether for profit or fraud.
Aggravated Arson
Aggravated arson is even more serious. You could face this charge if you intentionally cause an explosion or a fire and, in doing so, knowingly put another person at substantial risk of serious injury, or cause or threaten to cause harm to an occupied building such as someone’s home or business.
Additionally, if someone hires you to set fire to an occupied structure and this creates a significant threat of physical harm, you can be charged with aggravated arson.
What Are the Penalties For Criminal Arson in Cincinnati, Ohio?
In Cincinnati, Ohio, the consequences for arson can be severe and increase according to the specifics of the offense. Arson typically starts as a first-degree misdemeanor with jail time up to 180 days and fines up to $1,000.
However, if there’s significant property damage over $500 or if there are aggravating factors like intent to defraud or targeting state buildings or real property is involved, then it escalates to a fourth-degree felony. This carries between 6 and 18 months in prison as well as fines of up to $5,000.
Aggravated Arson
If the arson is committed under an agreement for hire, the penalties are even more serious. It’s treated as a third-degree felony, which means you could face a prison sentence of between 1 and 5 years as well as fines of up to $10,000.
If you are charged with aggravated arson involving harm to an occupied structure, this offense becomes a second-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 8 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
All other forms of aggravated arson are treated as first-degree felonies. In these cases, you can face 3 to 11 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.
Understanding the severe penalties is necessary for anyone facing these types of charges.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested for Arson?
If you’re arrested for arson, there are several defense strategies that can be used to challenge the allegations against you. Here are some of the most common ones:
Lack of Intent
Arson charges often hinge on intent, and your attorney may argue that the fire was accidental. Without proof of a deliberate act to start the fire or cause an explosion, the element of intent required by arson statutes doesn’t exist. Proving that there was no intention to set a fire is generally sufficient for an acquittal.
Insufficient Evidence
Another possible defense involves contesting the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence. Your lawyer may argue that the investigation was flawed or that there wasn’t enough forensic evidence to conclusively link you to the crime. If reasonable doubt exists concerning any aspect of your involvement in setting a fire, you can avoid conviction.
Alibi
An alibi defense means you provide evidence that you were somewhere else at the time the arson was committed. Your attorney can work to confirm your whereabouts through witness testimony, surveillance footage, or electronic records to substantiate your claim. If you were somewhere else when the event occurred, you couldn’t have started the fire.
When you’re facing arson charges, the most important thing you can do for your legal defense is to work with an experienced lawyer who can help you fight these charges.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Cincinnati Arson Attorneys
Facing criminal charges is always a frightening and overwhelming experience, and dealing with something as serious as arson is no joke. Fortunately, you never have to deal with it alone. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys are here to help you every step of the way. For help, contact Suhre & Associates to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati arson attorney.