Starting A Fire Won't Make Your Problems Go Up In Smoke
There are various reasons why you might be tempted to start a fire and burn up someone's property -- even your own. Before you light that match, there are some things you should know about this crime.
Definition of Arson
Arson is the intentional setting of fire and burning of property, and it is usually considered a felony crime because of its potential for harm.
Reasons For Committing Arson
Some people commit arson for insurance fraud, to get revenge on someone and cause property damage, while engaging in domestic violence and/or as an afterthought to destroy evidence of another crime. Some people have intentionally set fires on public lands as a thrill-seeking activity.
A lot of arsonists get away with this crime, so the available statistics may be skewered. However, FBI and Homeland Security agencies say that:
- One in four arsonists have IQs that are below 70 points and most fire-setters' IQs fall between 70-90 points.
- Anger is the most common motive.
- 90% of arsonists are white and male.
- Half the arsons are committed by persons who were not yet 18 years of age, and the other half are usually in their late 20s.
- Arsonists who are older most often have a profit motive.
- In large cities, it is estimated that 60% of building fires are started by children younger than 16 years old and most of them did not fear any consequences for their actions from their parents.
It is possible that some very intelligent people are researching how to set fires online and to do it in a way that creates a big impact, while leaving virtually no incriminating evidence. Youths may get addicted to this behavior, and it can also have a sexual component.
If you are struggling with this impulse, you should know that it is likely to escalate as you grow older, so it is important to get prompt psychological evaluation and counseling to overcome it.
If you have a child that is showing signs of fascination with starting fires, do not delay in getting him/her some help. Things to look out for are: a child engaging in daredevil behavior around fires, playing around with chemicals to start them, or having a fixation for playing with matches and/or lighters.
Criminal Charges For Committing Arson
There are two things that a prosecutor will be concerned with when determining the charges for an arson crime. One would be your motive in setting the fire, and the other thing would be the amount of harm you caused by your actions. It's one thing to set an old abandoned shed on fire, and another to destroy thousands of acres of federal land, or to burn down a family's house with them inside.
It could be that you don't intend to hurt anyone, but because of your recklessness, someone could be badly hurt or killed. This would result in a harsher arson charge along with other felony charges such as manslaughter. If your motive was to intentionally harm someone and they died, you could receive a murder charge and even incur the death penalty in some states.
Other things that would be considered are:
- If you indirectly committed arson when you set a fire to destroy your own property, and it spread to an unintentional target
- If you caused an explosion -- this can also be considered arson
- The amount of property damage caused by the fire
- Whether you were also guilty of fraud by trying to get an insurance payout
Arson is indeed a serious crime and could result in incarceration, fines, restitution, and/or years of probation. To solve this type of crime, hi-tech investigators would be working on it, and federal authorities may be involved.
Legal Representation
If you, or your child, has committed a crime involving arson, you will need to hire a criminal defense lawyer, such as Cross, LaCross, & Murphy PLLC, or have one assigned to your case.
Share