Arson involves the intentional and unlawful burning of property, a serious criminal offense prosecuted under both state and federal law. In Florida, arson is classified by the type of structure involved, the presence of occupants, and the intent of the accused. Convictions for arson can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, restitution, and long-term collateral consequences.

The prosecution must prove elements such as malicious intent, ownership or occupancy of the property, and the defendant’s involvement in the act. Defenses may challenge forensic evidence, witness testimony, or assert a lack of intent or mistaken identity. Fire investigations can be highly technical and prone to interpretative errors.

Berkeley Law Firm provides clients facing arson charges with rigorous legal analysis, scrutinizing investigative procedures and engaging expert witnesses to build a strong defense.