Arson is the willful destruction of property in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. It is one of the most destructive and dangerous crimes out there.
Sometimes it is done for monetary gain, such as when an old failing business in an old building is torched for the insurance money. It is sometimes done for the thrill of it; some people like to see fire burn.
Defining Arson in Okmulgee
Arson can be defined as the intentional setting of a fire, with the intent to destroy a structure or its contents. It can also be charged in the intentional setting of a fire to destroy another’s personal property.
You can be found guilty of arson in Okmulgee if you personally set the fire, but you can also be found guilty of you aid another in setting the fire or if you secure the services of another to set the fire for you. This is often the case in a fire set to collect insurance money on a building.
Oklahoma classifies crimes by degree. Arson in Oklahoma can be classified as of the first, second, third, or fourth degree. All degrees of arson are felonies, and a conviction of any degree carries serious consequences.
Arson: Four Degrees; Four Punishments
Arson of the first degree is the willful and malicious setting fire to, or burning, of any structure, in whole or part via use of explosive device, accelerant, ignition device, or the like, at a time when the structure is inhabited by another person.
First-degree arson can also happen during the manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance. A meth lab fire may not be intentionally set, but if the chemicals cause a fire while a person is in the building, it can be charged as first-degree arson. It is a felony punishable by up to 35 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1401
Second-degree arson in Okmulgee is similar. However, the structure is unoccupied at the time the fire is set. It may also be charged if the fire occurs during the manufacturing of an illegal controlled dangerous substance. (Such as an uninhabited meth lab fire.)
If however, the property is one that is usually used for lodging, you can be charged with first degree arson even if the building was unoccupied at the time the fire is set. It is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1402
Arson in the third degree involves the intentional burning of property other than a building that has a value of $50 or more. The fire can be set by explosive or other device. The property involved can include, but is not limited to: vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, boats, farm crops, pasture lands, forest lands, or any other property. It is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1403
Fourth-degree arson is the attempted burning of property by explosive or any other device. It too is a felony offense and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1404
Low-cost Consultation: Okmulgee Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or a loved one needs to speak with an Okmulgee criminal defense attorney regarding a charge of arson in Oklahoma, call 918-756-9600 now for a low-cost consultation.
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