Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The Sacramento Bee reports that a North Hollywood man, Kurt Billie, has been charged with setting 10 fires in 3 days in the San Fernando Valley. The fires are considered part of a larger arson spree that caused nearly $1 million damage. The main target of the fires were vehicles, including motor homes, cars and trucks, but an apartment building was also damaged

If you have been charged on a suspicion of any crime, including arson, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Arson charges, no matter the surrounding circumstances are serious criminal allegations. California Code section 451 defines arson as the act of willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structure or property. Arson can be either simple or aggravated. Here, Billie was charged with 20 felony courts of arson and one count of aggravated arson. The aggravated arson charge result from a previous charge of arson in Japan. If convicted, he faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. His bail was set at $2 million pending arraignment.

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The Long Beach Post reports that police have asked residents to help identify an arson suspect who was caught on video setting fire to a commercial building earlier this week. The man is also suspected of setting another arson a few blocks away the following day.

Individuals arrested on the suspicion of arson should contact an experienced Los Angeles arson defense lawyer immediately.

Arson charges are serious. California Penal Code section defines arson as the act of willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structures. Arson is typically charged as a felony with the potential for prison sentences, significant fines and arson registry requirements.

Here the suspect was recorded breaking a window and setting fire to a marijuana collective. He was then seen running away with his hand on fire. Whether any one else was injured, the extent of damage and if the man has a prior criminal history will all impact the legal consequences as a result of this incident.

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A 21-year-old man - Dmitri Sheyko - has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony arson stemming from allegations that he started a Hollywood synagogue fire as well as creating fires in several homes in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood. He was also charged with burglary and use of a destructive device. If convicted, he faces up to 21 years in prison.

Arson charges, regardless of the surrounding circumstances, are very serious allegations. If you or someone you know has been charged with arson, it is important to act quickly to retain an experienced Los Angeles arson defense lawyer.

Arson is almost always filed as a felony charge, with punishment depending on the level of severity. Penalties typically depend on whether an injury occurred, the extent of the destruction and the accused's criminal past. Here many of these factors remain unknown. Despite the ongoing investigation, news reports indicate that Sheyko faces multiple years for each count of arson. Further, if convicted, whether the fire is considered a "hate crime" will affect Sheyko's sentencing.

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The Pasadena Star-News reports that violent crimes, including homicides, are down in Los Angeles to the lowest level since 1965. Statistics show that the homicide rate has been dropping steadily, since 2005. The total number of homicides reported was less than 200, the first time since 1973 that the figures were that low.

Crime rates were lower in many difference types of crime including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson. But for those under investigation for a crime, the stakes remain high. An experienced L.A. criminal defense lawyer can mean the difference between freedom and a conviction.

The biggest decrease was reported at the San Dimas station with 14.9% fewer major crimes since 2009. South El Monte also reported a significant decrease in crime.
Reasons for the decrease in crime are unknown, although police are quick to take credit, citing "suppression, prevention, intervention, and technology" as contributing to the decrease in crime.

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According to the Whittier Daily News, a date has been set for the arraignment of a transient charged with felony arson stemming from last year's "Lady Bug Fire."

Arson is defined as the act of "willfully and maliciously" setting fire to any structure, whether residential or commercial, forestland or property. Arson is a complicated crime with varying levels of severity in punishment for each case.

Here, the man arrested was a transient who was attempting to make rice in the Angeles National Forest. Although the fire was ignited 6 days before the massive Station Fire, no evidence links this man to that fire, the largest in Los Angeles County history.

Despite the lack of property damage or injury, starting a fire in a in the wrong place constitutes a felony with the potential for serious penalties, including a state prison term of two, four or six years.

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