Orange County Arson Lawyer

All arson charges can be tried as a felony resulting in up to 9 years in prison and up to $50k in fines. Enhancement exists for property damage, bodily injury, death, & prior convictions. When a home or commercial building is harmed, prison sentences can stretch as long as 8 years. If there are certain factors present in a case, such as multiple persons being injured by the fire, multiple structures being burned, or significant amount of damage, they may increase the punishment up to life in prison. Under California law, all arson charges are considered serious felonies and are therefore "strikes" under the Three Strikes Law. In some instances, an arson charge may be reduced to the lesser charge of "reckless burning," which requires lesser punishment and is not considered a strike.

Arson Trial Process in California

In most trials for arson, the prosecutor will call an arson investigator as an expert to testify to his opinion that a fire was an arson. In order to successfully defend against an arson charge at trial, it is crucial for the defense attorney to have knowledge and experience in arson cases to effectively cross-examine the expert.

In many cases, the opinion of the arson investigator is the only way the prosecutor can prove that a fire was an arson. An effective defense attorney knows how to challenge the basis for this opinion so that the jury does not take the statements of the expert without questioning whether the statements are credible or not.

Protect Your Rights with an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

When facing criminal charges, it's crucial to have a knowledgeable and experienced defense attorney on your side. At Law Offices of Christian Kim, our team is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of our clients in Irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin, and throughout Orange County.

Attorney Christian Kim spent part of his career with the Orange County District Attorney's Office assigned to the Special Prosecutions Unit. Part of his duties in that unit was to prosecute arson cases. In fact, while assigned to that unit, Mr. Kim was responsible for handling all arson cases in Orange County. As a result, he has extensive knowledge and experience in cases involving arson, which he now uses to provide quality representation to his clients who have been accused of arson.

Benefits of hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer include:

• Expert legal guidance and advice
• Strong defense strategies tailored to your case
• Negotiation with prosecutors for reduced charges or penalties
• Protection of your constitutional rights
• Peace of mind during a stressful and challenging time

If you have been charged with arson, contact the Law Offices of Christian Kim to speak to an attorney who has the experience needed to provide you with the best possible defense. Call (714) 576-2935 today to schedule your free consultation.