Houston Arson Defense Attorney

If you or your child has been arrested and charged with arson, you may be feeling confused and frightened. There is little sympathy you will get from law enforcement and investigators in cases of alleged arson crimes. Arson crimes can include something as seemingly small as intentionally setting fire to the contents of a trash can or unsuccessfully attempting to burn a book. For this reason, a juvenile may be charged with arson for a prank. Setting a fire or an unsuccessful attempt to burn something is treated seriously by law enforcement. As arson is a felony, the consequences are severe, it is vital that you enlist the aid of a trusted Houston criminal defense lawyer right away.

Arson: Overview of the Penalties

Arson is charged as a first, second and third degree felony. Conviction of a third degree felony means a sentence of two to ten years in prison while a first degree felony conviction can mean a prison sentence of up to 99 years. Arson resulting in the death or injury of another will be punished more severely than the burning of the contents of a dumpster. The prosecution may include other charges as well. For example, if you are accused of setting fire to your own car or building which is insured you could be charged with insurance fraud as a separate offense.

Defending Against Arson Charges in Houston

Being represented by a skilled arson lawyer can mean the difference between severe penalties and having the charges dropped or reduced. If convicted, a felon can find that professional and educational doors are closed, and he or she is deprived of a number of freedoms including the right to hold public office, to own a firearm, and the right to vote.

With stakes this high, it is important that you waste no time in obtaining competent legal representation. I, attorney Ned Barnett, am Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and am highly respected within the legal community. I am intimately aware of the penalties that can arise from an arson charge and will draw upon my years of experience to help avoid conviction. Should you choose representation from my firm, you will be able to rest assured that I will never treat your case lightly. With an invested interested in your success, I will do everything possible to help you achieve your best possible outcome.

Contact a Houston arson defense attorney at my firm who will utilize the expertise acquired through years of experience as a former state and federal prosecutor to assist a client facing criminal charges.