New Brunswick NJ Second Degree Arson Defense Lawyers
If you are convicted of aggravated arson at the Superior Court in New Brunswick, as well as anywhere else in New Jersey, you face stiff criminal penalties. This offense is a second degree crime that can result in as much as ten (10) years in state prison. There are also thousands of dollars in potential fines. Retaining an attorney who is savvy in the defense of arson offenses will provide you with the best opportunity for averting these ramifications. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall We have been handling criminal charges, including those involving indictment based on allegations of intentionally starting a fire, for several decades. We defend this offense throughout Middlesex County including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, Piscataway and Edison. Our staff includes several attorneys with over 20 years of experience and we are ready to meet you at our office directly across from the Courthouse on Paterson Street in New Brunswick. Give our New Brunswick Office a call now at 732-246-7126 to speak to a skilled arson attorney.
The New Jersey Aggravated Arson Law: N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1(a)
The goal of 2C:17-1(a) is to deter an individual from intentionally setting a fire by imposing them to severe consequences for violating this law. An individual commits aggravated arson if he or she starts a fire or causes an explosion with the purpose or intent to:
- Knowingly place another in danger of death or bodily injury;
- Destroy a building or structure;
- Cause destruction to collect insurance coverage;
- Destroy the property to allow it to be exempted from a building or zoning ordinance or law; or
- Destroy or damage a forest.
It is an essential element of aggravated arson that the defendant purposely start a fire or cause an explosion. And what distinguishes this offense from arson, a third degree, is the fact that the accused had the intent and/or purpose to cause one of the results set forth in (1) through (5) above. It is not enough that the person was aware or knew that a given result could occur; he or she must intend to bring about the danger or destruction.
Second Degree Aggravated Arson Penalties
As previously stated, aggravated arson is a second degree crime. Individuals convicted of second degree arson face between 5 and 10 years in prison and the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) applies. NERA requires offenders convicted of aggravated arson to serve a minimum of 85% of their imposed prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. In terms of fines, the court can impose up to $150,000.
Woodbridge NJ Aggravated Arson Lawyer
If you have been charged or indicted for aggravated arson in Woodbridge, the best thing you can do to help yourself is hire an attorney who has experience defending these types of cases. It would also help if the Woodbridge NJ Aggravated Arson Lawyer you retain knows the ins and outs of the Middlesex County Court House. This is precisely the level of service the lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are capable of providing. Irrespective of whether you were charged in Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Old Bridge, Sayreville or Carteret, we have the knowledge and experience you need. For immediate assistance with bail or another issue in your arson case, call our Woodbridge Office at 732-751-4458.
