Castle Rock Third Degree Arson Attorney

Woman Torches Her Own Car and Reports It Stolen

Setting fire to your own property with intent to defraud is charged as Third Degree Arson in Castle Rock and Douglas County. A woman recently was accused of just that, after allegedly using a flamethrower to torch her own car. According to the report, the woman had called police to report that her car had been stolen, but then called again saying that it wasn’t actually taken. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the car had been set ablaze using a flamethrower. If the woman had destroyed the vehicle, reported it stolen, and then used the police report to file an insurance claim, then Third Degree Arson charges would apply.

Douglas County Third Degree Arson Lawyer: Definition of Third Degree Arson

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Third Degree Arson – C.R.S. 18-4-104 – is:

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(1) A person who, by means of fire or explosives, intentionally damages any property with intent to defraud commits third degree arson.”

The intent to defraud piece is the most difficult part for the Douglas County District Attorney to prove. They have to prove that the person set the fire just because they wanted to defraud another person. The damaged property could be your own or someone else’s property. Ownership does not matter with this Arson crime.

Sentence for Third Degree Arson in Highlands Ranch and Parker

As a class 4 felony in Castle Rock, Parker, and Highlands Ranch, 3^rd Degree Arson is punishable by 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $500,000 in fines. For the woman above, she could also be facing charges for False Reporting for reporting her car as stolen when she knew it wasn’t. Also, if she had filed an insurance claim for her ‘stolen’ car, then Insurance Fraud could be charged as well.

If you or a loved one has been charged with, arrested for, or accused of Third Degree Arson, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact Castle Rock’s best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950 to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.