Columbia, SC Arson Defense Attorneys

Commercial and residential fires start for a number of reasons including:

• electrical or wiring problems,
• an act of God such as a lightening strike, and
• cooking fires, including grease fires

When law enforcement concludes that a fire was intentionally set whether to destroy property or destroy evidence related to another crime, you can be charged with arson pursuant to S.C. Code Ann.  16-11-110 et seq.

Being Charged with Arson Does Not Mean You Are Guilty

What it does mean is that you need the skills of an attorney who knows the evidence the prosecution must prove in order to convict you of arson.

The determination of whether a fire was accidental or intentional is often based upon circumstantial evidence.

If you are charged with arson in South Carolina, you need an attorney who has the resources to verify that the investigation conducted and the collection of evidence obtained were gathered in accordance with proper procedure.

If you have been charged with arson or intentionally setting a fire to destroy evidence related to another crime such as insurance fraud, murder, or burglary, contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you protect your legal rights as well as your future.

S.C. Code Ann.   16-11-110   provides:

(A) A person who wilfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building, structure, or any property specified in subsections (B) and (C) whether the property of himself or another, which results, either directly or indirectly, in death or serious bodily injury to a person is guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty years.

(B) A person who wilfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures the burning that results in damage to a dwelling house, church or place of worship, a public or private school facility, a manufacturing plant or warehouse, a building where business is conducted, an institutional facility, or any structure designed for human occupancy to include local and municipal buildings, whether the property of himself or another, is guilty of arson in the second degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than five nor more than twenty-five years.

(C) A person who wilfully and maliciously:

(1) causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes a burning which results in damage to a building or structure other than those specified in subsection (A) or (B), a railway car, a ship, boat, or other watercraft, an aircraft, an automobile or other motor vehicle, or personal property; or
(2) aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building or structure other than those specified in subsection (A) or (B), a railway car, a ship, boat, or other watercraft, an aircraft, an automobile or other motor vehicle, or personal property with intent to destroy or damage by explosion or fire; whether the property of himself or another, is guilty of arson in the third degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than one and not more than ten years.

(D) For purposes of this section, “damage” means an application of fire or explosive that results in burning, charring, blistering, scorching, smoking, singeing, discoloring, or changing the fiber or composition of a building, structure, or any property specified in this section.

Faced with an arson charge?  Contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.  We offer flexible payment options and accept Visa and Mastercard.