A New York Arson Lawyer explains the New York State Arson law, the 5 different levels of Criminal Arson charges and affirmative defenses to Arson.

The common definition of Arson is setting fire to a building or property without having the owner's consent. In New York, any Arson Lawyer will tell you that this definition has been broken down further to differentiate between the different types of fires that are set, the type of property that is set on fire and the risk of injury to people.

Moreover, the New York offices of the District Attorney as well as New York Criminal Court Judges have exhibited a very low tolerance for defendants charged with Arson. The reason is the unpredictable nature of a fire in so far as how it can spread and the untold damage that can be caused to both people and property. That is why it's important for a defendant to have a New York Criminal Lawyer who has experience in handling Arson cases. An experienced New York Arson Lawyer can limit your exposure in the event of an unintended consequence of a fire that has been started and has gone out of control.

Here are the 5 types of Criminal Arson Charges in New York

Arson in the 5th Degree is an A misdemeanor. The remaining 4 criminal charges are: Arson in the fourth degree, Arson in the third degree, Arson in the second degree and Arson in the first degree are all felonies. In fact, Arson in the second degree and first degree are considered Violent Felonies as well and carry stiffer penalties.

Each New York Arson Lawyer in the office will also discuss with you the affirmative defenses that are available to you. An affirmative defense is a defense, which, if proven by the Criminal Defense Team, requires that the charge be either reduced or dismissed by the Judge or The District Attorney.

When you face the criminal charge of Arson, you need a New York Criminal Attorney who will stand by you and fight for your rights. At Stephen Bilkis and Associates we have Arson Lawyers that offer a free consultation to listen to you and advise you. Whether you are in New York City, including Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx and Brooklyn or on Long Island including Nassau County and Suffolk County, the Criminal Lawyers in our office stand ready to take your call at 1800 NY NY LAW.