More than 500,000 times annually, arson is committed somewhere in this country annually, resulting in costs of more than $2 billion in property damage. Structures involved in these fires may be homes, warehouses, churches, commercial buildings, public buildings, and more. In some cases, these fires take place in fields or forests; other times, they may involve a vehicle. Whatever the situation, arson always poses a danger to property, people, and animals.
What is Arson?
According to the FBI, arson is any deliberate or malicious attempt to burn the personal property of someone else. California law says any purposeful fire-starting is arson.
What Motivates Arsonists?
There are many reasons some people are drawn to the crime of arson:
- There are some instances of people burning their own property in order to collect the insurance settlement.
- For some vandals, arson is simply another form of malicious mischief.
- Some arsonists feel a need to be near exciting events in order to get attention from friends, family, or the media.
- Fires may be used by some individuals in order to obliterate evidence related to other crimes, such as murder or theft.
- Pyromania– a psychological condition– inflicts some who tend to get thrills and gratification from starting fires.
- In some cases, a person feels misjudged or unfairly treated at work or elsewhere and seeks revenge for perceived wrongs.
- Extremist ideologies motivate some people, who feel justified in igniting fires based on their political, religious, or social beliefs.
- There are those with a hero complex who set fires to create a dangerous situation that they can then rescue others from, thereby gaining a hero status.
Facts Worth Knowing
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports the following:
- Arson—deliberately setting fires– is the top cause of fire property damage and the second leading cause of fire-related deaths in this country.
- Over half of arsonists are age 18 or younger.
- A quarter of the fires in this country—500 million– are arson.
- Just under 90% of arsonists are male.
- Over 30% of dormitory fires are arson.
- The link between illicit drug activity and arson is growing, with about a quarter of arson cases related to drugs.
- A bare16% of arson cases ever result in an arrest, and a meager two percent of those arrested are ever convicted of the crime.
Have You Been Charged With Arson?
The penalties for arson involve significant prison time, fines, and restitution. If you are facing arson charges, you need an aggressive, dedicated criminal defense attorney fighting for your rights. At Boertje & Associates in San Diego, it is exactly what we can provide. To discuss this, schedule a confidential consultation today.