Ocala Criminal Defense Attorneys for Arson

Arson Attorneys Tania Alavi & Andrew Pozzuto of The AP Law Group will attack the government’s case and fight on your behalf. Arson is a serious crime. A conviction for Arson can affect the rest of your life. The penalties for an Arson conviction are severe, including prison sentences, lengthy probation terms, a criminal record, restitution and hefty fines.

If you are suspected, arrested or charged with Arson in the Gainesville or Ocala area, contact our offices today. To better serve you, we have offices in both Gainesville and Ocala, Florida. Attorneys Tania Alavi and Andrew Pozzuto will provide immediate, local help with your arson case. Please call (352) 732-9191 today to discuss your legal options and defense strategy.

Arson in Florida

Law enforcement officers in Florida usually conduct an investigation after a fire or explosion to determine whether the circumstances are suspicious. If investigators suspect the fire was not an accident, law enforcement will focus on any individuals that may possibly be involved. Investigator may try to build their case on the assumptions that an individual deliberately destroyed property to collect insurance money or to hide evidence of some other crime.

In many cases, an experienced Arson Attorney will attack the case based on circumstantial evidence and the fact there are likely no eyewitnesses to bolster the state’s case.

Arson in Dwellings or Structures

The crime of Arson can occur either in dwellings or structures. These types of properties are defined below:

• Dwelling:
  • Florida Statute 806.01 (and other statutes) define a dwelling as a permanent or temporary building or conveyance of any kind, or mobile building or conveyance that has a roof and is designed for people to occupy.
• Structure:

Fla. Statute 806.01 defines a structure as a building of any kind, including roofed enclosed areas temporary or permanent buildings, any real property, any tent or portable building, or any vehicle, vessel, watercraft or aircraft.

Florida’s Arson Laws and Statutes

• Arson, First Degree in Florida:
  • Florida Statute 806.01 defines Arson, First Degree as when an individual willfully and unlawfully or while committing any felony by using fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged:
    • Any dwelling or its contents;
    • Any structure or its contents when persons are normally present (like businesses, hospitals or jails), or
    • Any other structure the alleged offender knew or had reasonable grounds to believe was occupied by a human.
  • Penalties: In Florida, Arson of a Dwelling or Structure normally occupied by persons is a First Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
• Arson, Second Degree in Florida:
  • Florida Statute 806.01(2) defines Arson, Second Degree as when an individual willfully and unlawfully or while committing a felony by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged any structure where not normally occupied by persons.
  • Penalties: In Florida, Arson of a Structure not normally occupied by persons is a Second Degree Felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
• Arson resulting in injury to another
  • Florida Statutes 806.031(2) defines Arson with Injury as any arson that results in bodily harm to any person, including firefighters, whether the defendant intended to cause injury or not.
  • Penalties: In Florida, Arson resulting in any injury is a First Degree Misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to 1 year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
• Arson with Great Bodily Harm
  • Florida Statute 806.031(2) defines Arson with Great Bodily Harm as arson resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement to any other person regardless of intent to cause the harm.
  • Penalties: In Florida, Arson with Great Bodily Harm is a Second Degree Felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine..

Arson Defense Attorneys for Gainesville & Ocala, Florida and surrounding counties

If you have been accused, arrested or charged with Arson in the Gainesville area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties) or the Ocala area (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties), contact The AP Law Group immediately. Call (352) 732-9191 or tell us about your case now using this form.

Don’t wait. Florida Arson Attorneys Tania Alavi and Andrew Pozzuto will fiercely defend your rights, reputation and life.