TAMPA ARSON ATTORNEY
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Damaging a building by fire or through the use of explosives is a serious criminal offense, and it can have serious consequences. Not only that, but crimes like arson are very heavily prosecuted in the state of Florida. That’s why it’s crucial that those who are accused of arson seek personal legal counsel.
If you have been accused of committing arson, you need a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side. Tampa criminal defense attorney Andrew Buda has an in-depth knowledge of Florida’s legal system and also has experience defending clients from a variety of criminal charges.
We at Buda Law strive to provide each of our clients with the legal representation they deserve. Call (813) 322-2832 to schedule a free consultation where we’ll discuss your case and develop a plan of action.
Facing arson charges? Call Andrew Buda to schedule a free consultation at (813) 322-2832 today.
What is Arson?
In general, arson is the crime of destroying a building, structure, or property by use of fire or explosive materials. People can be charged with arson under state law or under federal law, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime.
The federal arson statute normally covers the burning of any building or structure used in foreign or interstate commerce. The burning of any other structure or property will normally fall under the state’s jurisdiction.
Some people commit arson to purposefully destroy another person’s dwelling or property, whereas others commit arson to destroy evidence of a crime or to file an insurance claim for the damages.
Florida Arson Definition
According to Florida law (Florida Statutes § 806.031), arson is any willing destruction of any structure through the use of fire or explosion. A structure is defined as any:
- Building;
- Enclosed area with a roof;
- Real property;
- Tent or portable building; or
- Vehicle, vessel, watercraft, or aircraft.
Arson crimes are separated into two degrees, with each degree having its own requirements and guidelines. There are also a number of other crimes related to arson that a person could be charged with in addition to first or second-degree arson.
First-Degree Arson
First-degree arson is categorized as a level 7 offense within the Florida Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet, underscoring its grave implications and the significant legal consequences it entails in the state. Someone can commit arson in the first degree if they willfully use fire or explosion to damage:
- A dwelling;
- A structure that is normally occupied; or
- Any structure where the person accused of the crime knew or could have reasonably believed that it was occupied.
Some of these structures include:
- Homes
- Apartment buildings
- Health care facilities
- Office buildings
- Detention centers
- Department stores
- Nursing homes
- Educational institutions during normal operating hours
Second-Degree Arson
Someone may be charged with arson in the second degree if they willfully use fire or explosion to damage any other structure or property that is not included in the provisions of first-degree arson. Some of these structures can include:
- Tents
- Portable buildings
- Vehicles
A person can still be charged with arson in the second degree if they use fire to destroy property that they personally own.
Arson Resulting in Bodily Harm
In addition to the above crimes, someone can be charged with a crime if they hurt someone as a result of arson.
If someone commits arson which causes any bodily harm to a firefighter or any person, they could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. If someone commits arson which causes serious bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to a firefighter or any person, they could be charged with a second-degree felony.
The person accused of arson resulting in bodily harm does not need to be convicted of first or second-degree arson in order to be charged with these related crimes. This means that the prosecution does not need to prove that they intended to commit the crime or cause harm in order to convict someone of one of these offenses.
What are the Penalties for Arson Charges in Florida?
Tampa arson cases can have severe consequences, depending on the severity of the alleged crime or crimes. Below are the penalties for arson in the state of Florida:
- If someone is convicted of first-degree arson in Florida, they could be charged with a first-degree felony, which is punishable by a fine of $10,000, up to 30 years in prison, or both.
- In Florida, if someone is convicted of second-degree arson, or commits arson that causes serious bodily harm to a firefighter or other person, they could be charged with a second-degree felony. Second-degree felonies in Florida are punishable by a fine of $10,000, up to 15 years in prison, or both.
- If someone is convicted of arson resulting in personal injury, they could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to 1 year in prison, or both.
The penalties for misdemeanors in Florida are historically less harsh than the penalties for Florida felonies, but being convicted of any crime can have a serious negative impact on a person’s life.
If you are facing an arson charge in Florida, don’t panic. Experienced arson attorneys like those at Buda Law can help those accused of arson receive reduced sentences or even have their charges dropped altogether. Our Tampa federal defense attorneys may also be able to defend your rights in federal court, if you are charged with a federal crime.
Possible Defenses for Arson
There are a number of defenses that arson lawyers can utilize to defend against charges of arson. Some potential defenses include:
- The fire was started legally
- The fire was unintentional
- The charges are false
- The defendant’s rights were violated by law enforcement
If you’re in need of arson defense in Tampa, the experts at Buda Law are here to help. We can investigate the circumstances surrounding your alleged crime and help develop a strong defense against your charges.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Arson is a very serious crime, and an arson charge could potentially put you behind bars for decades. Additionally, an arson crime is usually associated with one or more other criminal acts like insurance fraud or homicide. In that case, the person accused could be facing a lengthy prison sentence and a number of other penalties related to their charges.
That’s why it’s so important that those accused of arson seek help from an experienced legal professional. Arson lawyers can defend against these charges in court and can also negotiate with prosecutors to help their clients receive desirable plea agreements.
If you are arrested on charges of arson, Tampa criminal defense lawyer Andrew Buda can help develop a strong defense strategy to ensure you receive a favorable outcome for your case. Call our law office at (813) 322-2832 to schedule a free initial case evaluation with us today.
Call Tampa Arson Lawyer Andrew Buda at Buda Law Today
Being charged with arson can be incredibly stressful, not only because of the potential legal repercussions, but also because of the social and personal consequences of a serious criminal conviction.
If you have been accused of purposefully setting fire to a building or structure, you are not alone. Attorney Andrew Buda has years of experience serving the residents of the Tampa Bay area, and he is prepared to help provide you with the arson defense you need.
In addition to defending against arson charges, our law firm can help defend against charges of other crimes, including violent crimes, theft crimes, drug crimes, DUI, and more. Call our Tampa office today at (813) 322-2832 or contact us online and schedule a free consultation so that we can discuss your case.
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He’s definitely a good choice if you want professional representation. I called him a day before my court date he was on time and fully prepared and he worked with me financially as well. He has lots of information that is beneficial towards my case, helping to calm my nerves and also has connections and relationships with the court systems, which are crucial in negotiations in any case. I highly recommend Buddha law to anyone in need of a defense attorney.
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Mr. Andrew is one of the best lawyers you can find in the Tampa Bay Area. He is not gonna give you false promises, and he will get the job done. I have been to many lawyers before hiring him for my case. The other lawyers told me of the case going to trial and what not but Mr. Andrew got the charges dropped even before it could go to trial. The best thing about him is his ability to connect to his clients and connect with them in a personal level. For him it’s not simply a job, it is his passion to help people. He gave me discount as I was going through some hardships. I recommend him very strongly. He is a man of words and he’s also a role model for others to look up to.
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I had an exceptional experience with Buda Law Group. This group absolutely has the high-level of expertise and dedication required to assist you with your case. The attorneys stayed engaged and I valued their proactive communication. Recommendations were made for actions I could take to help with the final outcome. They treated me as a person, not just a case number. From the beginning to the end, I was treated with respect and genuine empathy, especially when navigating a complicated case.
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My entire experience with Buda Law was absolutely 5 stars! After sending them a message on their website, within minutes I received a phone call from Attorney Julie Adue. Julie is absolutely phenomenal, was with me every step of the way, and answered all my questions throughout the process. Her knowledge and empathy really helped put my mind at ease, and have full confidence in who I chose to represent me. There was even a time I called the office and asked for Julie, and her paralegal, also named Julie was always so helpful! Highly recommend Buda Law overall, their entire team seems to truly care about their clients which isn’t always easy to come by!
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Thanks to Andrew my mom was able to get out a week before my wedding!! He’s an outstanding lawyer and he’s passionate about helping those in need. If I had to recommend someone an amazing lawyer it would be Andrew Buda best there is and best there’ll ever be. I appreciate what you did in the 2 days you had to collect the information and to win the case. Keep up the great work you are doing. From me and my family we thank you for ever!
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