Fresno Man Arrested in Arson Case

A 20 year-old Fresno man was arrested for arson recently. The man, O. T., allegedly set fire to a travel trailer in the southeast section of the city. Reports of a fire led police to the area around 1:30 a.m. this morning where they found the accused in an emotionally-charged state. O. T. apparently was under the influence of methamphetamine and hallucinatory when he set the trailer on fire. Now he is in custody and facing charges of arson.

California's laws regarding arson are listed under California Penal Code 451 and 452. Under these sections, arson is described as willful, malicious, or reckless setting fire to a building, forest land, or other property. Penalties for an arson conviction will depend on the facts of the case, including what type of property was set on fire, whether anyone was injured or died in the fire, and whether the fire was set on purpose or from being reckless. Arson crimes can typically result in huge financial losses and threat to human life so they are investigated very diligently by special investigative units and teams. Professional arson investigators can be certified by a national agency which has been set up for the purpose of helping law enforcement identify and prosecute those who violate arson laws. Arson may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in California, depending on the circumstances and any previous criminal convictions of the defendant in the case. Potential penalties for felony arson include 16 months up to nine years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 with additional fines in cases where arson was committed for financial gain.

Fresno Criminal Defense Firm

As seen by the above potential penalties, a criminal charge involving arson can be a very serious legal matter. Anyone accused of this crime should immediately seek the professional help of a proven criminal defense attorney in their local area. Any criminal charge, whether it is arson, assault and battery, drunk driving, drug crimes, theft crimes, sex crimes, white collar crimes, or violent crimes such as manslaughter or murder, will call for an effective defense strategy.

For those individuals who have been accused of criminal behavior in or around Fresno, California the attorneys at Real Lawyers at Affordable Prices can help. The legal team at the firm has more than 40 years of combined experience in defending clients of every type of misdemeanor or felony. They know what it takes to pursue favorable results in a case and will stop at nothing to help their clients achieve them. They know the legal processes involved from arrest all the way to appeal and have developed workable tactics which can be utilized on your behalf. To learn more, contact the firm to start a free case evaluation form as soon as possible.