Serving Scranton, Tunkhannock, and Wyoming County
Arson is a serious criminal offense that people often commit as part of a larger fraudulent scheme, such as insurance fraud. The crime occurs when a person intentionally starts a fire or causes an explosion or helps or pays another person to cause a fire or explosion. The seriousness of the offense often depends on the circumstances surrounding the act. Hiring an arson defense lawyer should be the first priority.
- If you intentionally start a fire or cause an explosion, or you hire someone to do so – and recklessly place an individual in danger of death or injury, you may be charged with a first-degree felony.
- If you endanger property in committing arson, with the intent to destroy or damage an unoccupied building to collect insurance or for another fraudulent purpose, you may be charged with a second-degree felony.
- If you intentionally cause a fire or explosion and put an unoccupied building in danger of destruction or damaged personal property valued greater than $5,000, you may be charged with a third-degree felony.
- If you become aware of a fire that is endangering lives or property, but you fail to take reasonable steps to control the fire or fail to give a prompt alarm, you may be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
An arson charge is not something you should neglect.
The Peters Law Firm, an arson defense lawyer, can provide effective services for arson charges in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area. In the Scranton area, contact us at (570) 963-1610, Tunkhannock and Wyoming County at (570) 836-0700 or throughout Northeast Pennsylvania at our main office in Clarks Summit by calling (570) 585-0707 or by visiting us.
