Fort Collins Third Degree Arson Attorney
Burning Your Trailer is Easier Than Finding a New Renter?

A man may be facing charges for Third Degree Arson or Fourth Degree Arson after intentionally burning his trailer because he did not want to rent to drug addicts anymore.

Starting a fire and causing something to burn, is charged as Arson in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. It does not matter whether it was intentional or an accidental fire. A man was recently charged with Arson after setting his trailer on fire because he was tired of renting it to drug addicts. I would have suggested he develop a better screening process for a potential renter, but I guess burning down the problem was some kind of solution. In Larimer County, this situation could be charged as Third Degree Arson or Fourth Degree Arson, depending on the intent and circumstances surrounding the fire.

Larimer County Third Degree Arson Lawyer: What is the Definition of 3rd Degree Arson?

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

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

If the man had intended to file a home insurance claim that the fire was accidental in order to collect the value of the trailer, then he would be defrauding the insurance company and charged with Third Degree Arson. This degree of Arson is a class 4 felony, punishable by 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Fort Collins Fourth Degree Arson Lawyer: What is 4th Degree Arson?

The Colorado law definition of Fourth Degree Arson – C.R.S. 18-4-105 – is:

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.

If there were other buildings or people in the area where the trailer was burned and they were put in danger, then 4th Degree Arson would be charged. Fourth Degree Arson is charged as a class 4 felony if a person is endangered, a class 2 misdemeanor if property valued at $100 or more is endangered or a class 3 misdemeanor if property valued at less than $100 is endangered.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Third Degree Arson or Fourth Degree Arson in Fort Collins or Larimer County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Arson defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.

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