Jefferson County Missouri Arson Lawyer

Arson Offenses

Arson is defined as knowingly damaging a building or home by fire or explosion. There are many types of arson and related crimes that range from setting fire to an occupied home to blowing up a neighbor’s mailbox. Although most associate arson with the burning of a structure, arson can also be committed by setting fire to a forest area or even a boat. The most serious felony arson offenses are typically those that involve the potential to cause injuries or death.

Missouri recognizes differing degrees of arson, based on such factors as whether the building was occupied and whether the fire or explosion was intended to destroy a structure. In Missouri arson is classified in one of the following ways:

Arson in the First Degree

Arson in the Second Degree

Arson in the Third Degree

Arson Related Offenses

While arson involves those offenses which specifically deal with burning a structure, Missouri law also defines offenses for situations where a person uses a fire or explosion to destroy something other than a structure.

These offenses include:

• Knowingly Reckless, or Negligent Burning or Exploding

A person commits the offense of Knowingly Burning or Exploding if he or she:

• Knowingly damages property of another by starting a fire or causing an explosion.
• Class E felony.
• Imprisonment of up to 4 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

A person commits the offense of Reckless Burning or Exploding if he or she:

• Recklessly starts a fire or causes an explosion and thereby damages or destroys the property of another.
• Class B misdemeanor.
• Up to 6 months in the county jail and a fine of up to $1000.

A person commits the offense of Negligent Burning or Exploding if he or she:

• With criminal negligence causes damage to property or to the woodlands, cropland, grassland, prairie, or marsh of another by:
• (1) Starting a fire or causing an explosion; or
• (2) Allowing a fire burning on lands in his or her possession or control onto the property of another.
• Class C misdemeanor.
• Up to 15 days in the county jail and a fine of up to $750.

We represent individuals charged with the following Arson and related offenses

We have the resources and knowledge to build an aggressive arson defense for you. As a former prosecutor, Steve Lednick has the knowledge and experience necessary to formulate an effective defense strategy to fight the charges against you.

Missouri Arson and Related Offenses

Service Areas

If you are facing arson or related charges in Jefferson County, St. Francois County, St. Louis County, Ste. Genevieve County, Washington County or Franklin County Missouri, including the cities of Arnold, Barnhart, Bloomsdale, Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, Crystal City, Desloge, DeSoto, Dittmer, Eureka, Farmington, Fenton, Festus, Fredericktown, French Village, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, Horine, House Springs, Imperial, Kimmswick, Mapaville, Mine La Motte, Mineral Point, Morse Mill, Olympian Village, Park Hills, Perryville, Pevely, Potosi, Ste. Genevieve, or Valles Mines, exercise your right to remain silent and your right to speak to an attorney immediately and contact the Lednick Law Firm to have a former Jefferson County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney on your side. Contact us at (636) 638-2150 for a free consultation.