Arson FAQ

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You could face arson charges in Texas if you started a fire (regardless of whether it continued after ignition) or caused an explosion with the intent to destroy or damage any of the following:

– Any vegetation, fence of structure on open-space land.
– Any building, habitation, or vehicle.

Also, any of the following circumstances must apply:
– You knew that it was within the limits of an incorporated city or town.
– You knew that it was insured against damage or destruction.
– You knew that it was subject to a mortgage or other security interest.
– You knew that it was located on property that belonged to another person.
– You were reckless about whether the fire or explosion would endanger the life or safety of some other person or property.

You can be charged with arson in Texas if the state’s attorney believes that each of these elements have been met, but there is one exception. If you started a fire on any open-space land, the prosecution must prove that it wasn’t part of a controlled burning.

The line that’s drawn between starting a fire for warmth and doing so for destructive purposes can be hard to detect. Most fires need to be investigated by law enforcement and insurance company adjusters, so they can determine if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally. Some of the evidence that can determine if it was an act of arson can include, but may not be limited to:

– An accelerant.
– Matches.
– Suspicious circumstances.
– The unusually rapid spread of a fire.
– Illegal activities that caused the fire.

If you have been accused of arson in Texas, be sure to speak to a criminal defense lawyer in Corpus Christi to get help with your case.

Most arson charges in Texas are considered second-degree felonies, but there some circumstances where they can have a different classification. Here are the different ways that arson in Texas can be classified, along with their respective punishments:

– First-Degree Felony — Fires that were intentionally started and resulted in the death or bodily injury of someone else or while planning to damage or destroy a home, place of assembly, or place of worship. These kinds of charges can lead to a prison sentence of 5-99 years (including life).
– Second-Degree Felony — Where most case of arson in Texas will be categorized, which will carry a prison sentence of 2-20 years.
– Third-Degree Felony — Fires that were recklessly started while in the process of manufacturing a controlled substance and resulted in the death or bodily injury of someone else. These type of arson charges in Texas can come with a prison sentence of 2-10 years.
– State Jail Felony — Fires that were recklessly started while in the process of manufacturing a controlled substance and caused damage to any building, habitation, or vehicle. This classification can also include intentional fires that resulted in the reckless damage or destruction to buildings as well as the reckless injury of death of another person, and it will result in a sentence of a 180 days to 2 years in prison.

Many people who are facing criminal charges make the mistake of not hiring an attorney and speak directly with law enforcement or investigators if they have been charged with arson. Cooperation with an investigation may have some limited benefits, but any statements you make to police officers and investigators will become part of a record that the prosecutor will use in an attempt to convict you.

Before you agree to answer any questions or sign any kind of written statement (regardless of whether you have been charged with arson or some other felony), you should speak to a criminal defense attorney that will make sure your rights are protected and that investigators aren’t forcing you to make any statements that will go against your interests. If you’re facing arson charges in Texas, you’re not obligated to speak with investigators (regardless of what he or she may tell you).

Arson is a crime that involves the intentional and willful act of setting fire to a property. While arson usually involves buildings, it can also involve the burning of other items (such as motor vehicles, watercraft, and even forests).

There are a number of things that can determine the severity of an arson case. Some of them include the following:
– The intent with regard to the act.
– The actual burning of items or structures.
– Whether the building was a dwelling that belonged to someone else.

The amount of damage caused by the fire can also affect the severity of an arson charge in Texas. Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information.

There may be some variation in the different degrees of arson (which can be based on the circumstances of a particular case), but there are some standards on which the severity of arson is based. The first degree of arson usually involves the facts of the case, but aggravated arson usually involves the intentional setting of a fire (along with other factors).

If you set fire to a building or home while someone is inside it, you have committed an act of first-degree arson. Second-degree arson involves the intentional burning of a building or home while no one is inside it, while third-degree arson involves the burning of a structure while no one else is present. It can also involve a lot, field, parking garage, or other similar area.

Arson in Texas can become aggravated when someone has the intention of causing harm to someone else. He or she may have foreknowledge that the person is home or inside the structure, but the primary basis for aggravated cases is the malicious and willful intent to make sure that another person is injured in the process.

Reckless arson occurs when someone is attempting to destroy a property, but the fire goes out of control or has gotten to the point where it leads to excessive damage. This can occur through accidental incidents or by ignoring the rules of a specific area (such as signs stating that fires are prohibited).