11 year olds in Colorado Charged with Arson
Castle Rock Lawyer for Arson Charges
A little over a week ago, three 11-year-old boys in Longmont, Colorado were charged with fourth-degree arson after a brush fire was started, burning over 1.5 acres. According to the article, the fire was able to be contained within an hour and no one was injured (Fox31 Denver). Children can make mistakes that have big consequences, but it is not until a child is 10 years or older that those mistakes can be considered a criminal offense with legal consequences. The three boys in question will be required to go to juvenile court for their charges.
Definition of Fourth Degree Arson in Douglas County
In Castle Rock, Parker, or anywhere in Douglas County, Fourth Degree Arson is defined in C.R.S. 18-4-105 as:
“A person who knowingly or recklessly starts or maintains a fire or causes an explosion, on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury or places any building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage commits fourth degree arson.”
Penalties for Forth Degree Arson in Castle Rock
In Castle Rock, the penalties for Fourth Degree Arson depend on whether or not a person was endangered and the value of the property endangered. While the law is the same for juveniles and adults alike, the penalties will be different. For an adult charged with Fourth Degree Arson, if a person is endangered, it will be considered a class 4 felony. If only property was endangered and the value of the property is over $100, then it will be a class 2 misdemeanor, and a class 3 misdemeanor if the value was less than $100. Adult sentencing for a class 4 felony range from 2 – 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections (prison) and a fine between $2,000 and $500,000. The sentence for a juvenile tends to focus more on rehabilitation after crimes more than for adults, but there is still the possibility of fines, a criminal record, probation, and even time in the Department of Youth Corrections.
Lone Tree Defense Attorney for Arson Charges
Call Us at 303-265-1950
If you or your child are facing charges for Arson in Lone Tree or anywhere in Douglas County, it is important that you have an experienced defense attorney to represent you in court, and not leave your future in the hands of an angry district attorney, or a misinformed jury. If contacted by police, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact us 24/7 at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.
