Arson

By Carlos Gamino

Arson is a serious crime in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin – and if the court convicts you of it, you’re looking at felony-level penalties. If you’ve been accused of arson, whether or not you’re guilty, it’s probably in your best interest to talk to a Milwaukee arson defense lawyer as soon as you can. Here’s what you need to know about this crime and its penalties.

What is Arson?

Under Wisconsin law, arson is intentionally damaging a building or property by fire or explosives without the owner’s consent, or using fire or explosives to damage a building in order to commit insurance fraud. The reason someone sets fire to a building or property doesn’t matter – it’s illegal to do it without the owner’s consent or to defraud an insurance company.

What Kind of Crime is Arson in Wisconsin?

Arson is a felony in Wisconsin, which means the penalties are a lot harsher than they are for other crimes (like misdemeanors). With felony crimes, prison is one of the possible consequences. So is extended supervision, which is time after release from prison. Under extended supervision, the person must report to a parole officer on a regular basis.

Arson can be a Class C, Class I or Class H felony. It’s a Class C felony if you damaged property using explosives or if you damaged a building by fire – either to defraud an insurer or for another reason. Arson becomes a Class I felony if you committed arson against property other than a building, and it’s a Class H felony if you burn property (but not a building) with the intent to defraud an insurer.

Each has its own consequences:

• Class C felonies can include up to 40 years of imprisonment (25 years in prison and 15 years on extended supervision) with a fine of up to $100,000
• Class H felonies can include up to 6 years of imprisonment (3 years in prison and 3 years on extended supervision) with a fine of up to $10,000
• Class I felonies can include up to 3 years, 6 months of imprisonment (1 year, 6 months in prison and 2 years on extended supervision) with a fine of up to $10,000

What to Do if You’re Accused of Arson

Being accused of arson is incredibly scary whether or not you actually committed the crime. Even if you’re innocent, a Milwaukee criminal defense attorney can help you.

If you’ve been charged with arson, or if you’re about to be charged with arson, we may be able to defend you. Call us right away at 414-383-6700 for a free case review. We’ll ask you some questions and answer your questions, and if we work together, we’ll put together a defense strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.

Carlos Gamino

By Carlos Gamino

If you’ve been accused of arson, whether something happened during the course of an insurance investigation or someone purposely set a fire to damage a building or property for another reason, it may be in your best interest to get in touch with an arson defense lawyer as soon as possible.

The consequences of an arson conviction are incredibly harsh in Wisconsin; in fact, they’re some of the most serious in the country. That means talking to an attorney who can help preserve your rights and speak up for you in court could be essential to your freedom.

What is Arson?

Under Wisconsin law, the crime of arson is defined as intentionally damaging any building that belongs to another person, or to the same person for the purpose of defrauding an insurer, by using fire or explosives.

What Are the Penalties of an Arson Conviction in Wisconsin?

If the jury finds you guilty of arson, you’re looking at a Class C, a Class I, or a Class H felony.

• Arson as a Class C felony: Arson is a Class C felony if you damaged property with explosives. The penalty can include up to 40 years of imprisonment with a fine of up to $100,000.
• Arson as a Class I felony: Arson is a Class I felony when the arson is committed against property other than a building. You could be imprisoned for up to 3 years, 6 months, and pay a fine of up to $10,000.
• Arson as a Class H felony: Arson is a Class H felony when you do it with the intent to defraud an insurance company. The penalty can include imprisonment for up to 6 years with a fine of up to $10,000.

Do You Need to Talk to an Arson Defense Lawyer in Milwaukee?

If you’re accused of illegally setting a fire, we may be able to help you. Call our arson defense lawyers at 414-383-6700 for a free arson defense consultation today.

Carlos Gamino