Columbus Arson Defense Lawyer
Accused of Committing Arson? Call (614) 707-4239
People set fires for different reasons. Some cases of arson are related to a structure fire with the intent of defrauding an insurance company, or are the result of a campfire that has gone out of control. If you intentionally and without consent set fire to any structure or cause an explosion to that structure, you will be in violation of the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 2909: Arson and Related Offenses, and face charges for committing arson. Included in the category of property:
- Forests
- Parks
- Wildlands
- Private dwellings
- Commercial structures
- Any buildings that are government run and for public purposes
It does not have to be against real property, it can also be an offense against personal property like a car, boat, or truck. The crime increases in scope when the fire or explosion causes serious physical harm to another person or to an occupied structure. You can benefit from getting help from an experienced Columbus arson defense attorney. The attorneys at The Meranda Law Firm have more than 15 years of experience in criminal defense and know the degrees of this type of crime and the potential related penalties.
Penalties for Misdemeanor and Felony Arson in Ohio
In the instance of an act of arson causing less than $1,000 in property damage and no injuries to others, then it would likely be a misdemeanor charge provided, it is not a repeat offense. If the value of the property damage was $1,000 or more then the offense becomes a 4th degree felony with increased punishments. A sentence following a conviction can lead to any of the following:
- Time in jail
- Fines
- Probation
- Community service
- Counseling
- Other penalties
Defending Aggravated Arson Charges in Columbus, OH
Under certain circumstances, arson may be escalated to the serious crime of aggravated arson. When an occupied building is set on fire, it places the people at substantial risk of serious physical harm. It carries a 2nd degree felony charge and a possible sentence of 2-8 years imprisonment with a maximum $15,000 in fines. If the arsonist creates a situation that causes severe injuries or deaths then the allegations may change to a 1st degree felony and if guilty, the sentence can mean 3-10 years in prison with fines up to $20,000. Any emergency responders, firefighters, police officers, and others called to the scene are all potential victims. If the explosion or fire was set on purpose and it takes a human life, then the charges may grow to 1st degree murder, in addition to other accusations.
To discuss your options for a legal defense against arson charges, call The Meranda Law Firm LTD.
Free confidential initial consultation available.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"As stress free as it can be"A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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"Great Representation"There are three reasons I recommend Zachuary Meranda if you are arrested for DUI. First off, he is a straight shooter. Never did he sugar coat my situation. Second, he handled everything while keeping me informed and walked me through everything as it progressed. Third, he got me the result- NO DUI!!! Thanks Zak!- Shane Dolen
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"Excellent job!"We are very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Zach Meranda. The outcome was positive and he made us feel secure in an out of control situation. Felt glad to have him defending us and having his common sense approach to our case. We would recommend his services to anyone in need.- Anonymous
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"I Highly Recommend The Meranda Law Firm"I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I've had other attorneys and Zach is the only one that actually knew my case and put a lot of time and effort into making sure the outcome was good, which it definitely was. I really think he is one of the best attorneys & I highly recommend him to anyone that needs legal help.- Payton R
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"Great work!!"Zach Meranda was a real attorney with a no bull shit strategy!!! But he won my criminal case even when the odds were against me and I thank him and his associates!!- Pfeifer
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"Great Job"Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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"Great Attorney"Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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"An Attorney That Will Give You His All!"Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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What should I do if my child was arrested?No parent wants their child to have to go through an ordeal like being arrested. When these situations do occur, it can be difficult to determine what the best course of action would be. The juvenile justice system is different from the adult justice system and so it is important that you have a legal representative who understands the juvenile system and can help you get through this time. Whether your child has been accused of DUI, a drug crime, a misdemeanor, or a felony, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing that we are there helping you every step of the way.
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Can I afford a criminal defense attorney?Another question you will have to consider when deciding which defense lawyer to handle your case is whether or not you can afford it. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, we want to be able to provide reasonable rates to our clients so that you can get the help you need. In order to give you an idea of how much it will be, we will meet with you in a free consultation and discuss what kind of fees you could expect.
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How do I appeal my conviction?What should you do if you have already been convicted of a crime and have received your sentence? If you believe that justice was not served, your first step should be to contact our firm to see if we could help you appeal your case. Not every attorney takes on appeal cases they can be more complex and time-consuming than other cases. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, however, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients, no matter how difficult the case. If you want us to look over your case, please contact our team as soon as possible.
