Up in Flames! Arson & The Law.
With the nasty wildfire spreading throughout the Los Angeles area, the search into its origin has now turned into homicide investigation.
California has a relatively complex set of laws relating to arson, with serious penalties that depend on many factors. Among them are:
* whether the crime was against property or a person;
* whether a structure was inhabited;
* whether great bodily harm resulted;
* whether the perpetrator willfully and maliciously set the fire;
* extent of the damage caused.
As the article above states, fire destroys evidence but also preserves it. Arson investigators can often pinpoint the origin of such a blaze and determine its cause.
Someone who intentionally sets such a forest fire will at the very least face a charge of Aggravated Arson (willfully setting a fire of any residence, structure or forest likely to cause injury or causing damage in excess of a specified amount Cal. Penal Code ยง 451.5(a)). In and of itself, this charge carries a prison term of 10 years to life. Now that there has been loss of life, however, even greater charges and penalties are assured.
Tags: Arson, California Law, Evidence, prosecutions
