St. Charles Arson Defense Attorneys

Aggressive Arson Defense Lawyers Defending Against Charges in St. Charles, IL

Starting a fire that damages someone else's property is a criminal offense known as arson. Allegations of intentionally setting a fire or causing an explosion can lead to criminal prosecution, and a person accused of this offense may be charged with a felony. Charges may become even more serious if arson allegedly led to serious injuries or put someone at risk of being injured or killed. Even if no one is harmed, the mere act of damaging property with fire can result in criminal charges, and a conviction can have long-term consequences.

At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., our innovative attorneys understand the best ways to defend against arson accusations and other criminal charges. Our legal services are informed by decades of experience defending clients in thousands of criminal cases. We represent people in St. Charles, throughout Kane County, and in other neighboring counties, helping them defend against felony allegations like arson, aggravated arson, and related offenses. Whether charges are based on a misunderstanding, an accident, or an overblown accusation, our team will build a strong defense and fight to protect your rights.

What Is Arson in Illinois?

A person may be charged with arson if they are accused of knowingly damaging someone else's property by fire or explosion without the property owner's consent. The offense can involve private residences, commercial buildings, vehicles, or even open land. Arson charges may also apply in situations where someone is accused of using fire to damage or destroy property with the intent to commit insurance fraud.

To secure a conviction for arson, prosecutors must prove that the defendant acted intentionally or knowingly and that the fire or explosion caused damage to someone else's property. Arson charges will only apply if the damaged property had a value of at least $150.

Examples of Situations That May Lead to Arson Charges

There are many scenarios in which a person may be charged with arson, including:

• Setting fire to a former employer's building as an act of revenge
• Burning a vehicle to commit insurance fraud or conceal evidence
• Starting a fire that spreads from one property to another
• Throwing fireworks into a structure, causing a fire
• Damaging school or government property by fire
• Accidentally starting a fire, followed by actions to conceal the cause

Even if a person did not intend for the fire to spread or cause damage to others, they can still be charged if they knowingly started the fire without proper authorization.

Penalties for Arson in Illinois

Arson is typically charged as a Class 2 felony. A conviction carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison, as well as a maximum fine of $25,000. If a person is charged with residential arson of a home or another building or structure where people live, they may be charged with a Class 1 felony, and they could potentially be sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison. Class 1 felony charges may also apply if a person is accused of setting fire to a church, temple, mosque, or other place of worship.

In some cases, a person could be charged with aggravated arson, which is a more serious offense. This offense may apply if someone suffered a serious injury or was killed due to arson, if a person started a fire knowing that someone was inside a building, or if a firefighter or police officer was injured when responding to a fire. Aggravated arson is a Class X felony, which is the most severe felony classification in Illinois. Penalties may include a prison sentence lasting between six and 30 years.

How Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. Assist With Cases Involving Arson Charges

Our attorneys can build strong defenses against arson accusations by thoroughly investigating every aspect of a case. Our approach may include:

• Challenging the Prosecution's Claims of Intent: Accidental fires are not arson. We will examine whether the fire was the result of negligence, mechanical failure, or another unintentional cause, demonstrating that our client did not purposely start a fire.
• Reviewing Forensic Evidence: Fire investigations often rely on expert analysis of burn patterns and accelerants. We can work with independent experts to review and challenge flawed conclusions.
• Raising Doubt About Identity: If there is little or no direct evidence linking the defendant to the scene, we can challenge eyewitness accounts or inconclusive photo or video evidence.
• Suppressing Unlawfully Obtained Evidence: If police violated a person's rights during a search or interrogation, we may move to exclude that evidence from a criminal trial.
• Negotiating Reduced Charges or Alternative Sentencing: We may work to secure outcomes such as probation, restitution, or treatment-focused alternatives to prison.

Our goal is always to minimize the legal, financial, and personal consequences of an arson charge and help our clients avoid or overcome a felony conviction.

Contact Our St. Charles, IL Arson Defense Lawyers

When you are facing accusations of arson or aggravated arson, your case will require immediate legal attention. At Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C., we know how to defend clients in high-stakes criminal cases, and we are ready to help you fight against a conviction. Contact us and schedule a free consultation by calling 630-786-6062.