Criminal Charges for Arson in New Jersey

Wall New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys serving Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County and all surrounding NJ areas.

Posted: January 30, 2017

New Jersey statute 2C:17-1 is the statute which governs the crime of arson in the state of New Jersey.

Arson is a third-degree crime if an individual starts or sets a fire or creates an explosion on either another persons’ property or the individual’s own property and does so:

• Recklessly causing another individual to be in danger of either serious bodily injury or death.
• Recklessly causes another building or another structure to be in danger of being destroyed.
• To set fire to a building so that the individual may collect on an insurance policy.
• Sets the structure on fire in order to obtain an exemption from a zoning, planning, building or other law.
• Recklessly causing a forest to be placed in danger of destruction or damage.

Aggravated arson is a crime of the second degree if the individual starts or sets a fire or creates an explosion on the individual’s property or another individuals’ property and does so:

• Knowingly or purposefully putting another individual in danger of death or serious bodily injury.
• Intentionally destroying another individual’s building or structure.
• Sets fire to a structure with the purpose to collect insurance monies but while doing so recklessly places another individual in danger of serious bodily injury or death.
• Sets fire to a structure with the purpose to obtain an exemption from a zoning, planning, building or other law and while doing so recklessly places another individual in danger of either bodily injury or death.
• Sets fire with the purpose of destroying and/or damaging any forest.

Under this statute, if an individual pays another individual directly or indirectly, or accepts payment either directly or indirectly in order to facilitate the starting of a fire or creating an explosion, they will be guilty of a crime of the first degree and therefore will face between 10 and 20 years in a New Jersey state prison upon conviction.

Additionally, if an individual either sets or pays another individual to set fire to or cause an explosion to a church, temple or synagogue or other place of religious worship, that individual will be guilty of a crime of the first degree and as per this statute, will have to serve a minimum period of fifteen years in a New Jersey state prison before they are eligible for parole.

Our criminal defense lawyers represent individuals charged with arson offenses in all New Jersey counties and cities. In fact, our attorneys have secured not guilty verdicts and dismissals on arson-related matters, one of which was covered by the media in New York City.

If you or someone you know has been charged with the offense of arson, contact our New Jersey attorneys as soon as possible at 732-333-3011 or fill out the form located on this page. An attorney from Clark & Noonan, LLC will get back to you as soon as possible. We serve clients throughout New Jersey including Freehold, Monmouth County and Hudson.

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