After a body was found in a burning car behind a Garden Grove bank on Tuesday, February 13, local police launched an investigation into the origins of the fire, and the cause of the victim’s death. The Toyota Prius, engulfed in flames, was found in a strip mall parking lot in Little Seoul around 3.30 am on Tuesday, according to the Fire Department’s Capt. Brad Spell.
After spending approximately ten minutes extinguishing the fire, firefighters found a severely burned body inside the vehicle. At the time of writing, the victim had been identified, but the identity had not been released.
As the burning vehicle contained a body, arson would appear to be a possibility, although no information is available at present.
Arson is a very serious crime, which occurs when a person deliberately sets fire to property, a structure, or forested land. As can be expected when the fire is involved, arson can have tragic consequences, leading to life-changing injuries, or even death. For this reason, the penalties applicable to a Los Angeles arson charge can be strong, depending on whether the crime is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. The specifics of each case will be taken into consideration when making this decision.
Given the severity of the crime and its potential effects, if you’ve been accused of arson, you should seek the assistance of a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately. With a skilled legal team working tenaciously and diligently on your case, the potential outcome could be significantly improved.
Arson is no laughing matter, and you should not attempt to navigate the legal system alone. As the circumstances and nuances involved in each case can make the difference between misdemeanor and felony, you need a skilled Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney to secure the best possible outcome.
Sentencing for arson, under California law, can vary depending on whether the fire damage was limited to property or land, or caused injury to a person or persons. Damage to property can carry a state prison sentence of between 16 months and 3 years, while actual harm to a person can be punishable by up to 9 years imprisonment. An experienced criminal defense attorney can greatly increase your chances of receiving a sentence at the lower end of the scale, although you should bear in mind that other circumstances, such as previous offenses, can have an impact.
If emergency services personnel were injured or killed, due to your offense, your sentence will be increased.
A criminal conviction for arson could have long-lasting repercussions across your life, with damage to your personal relationships, current employment and future prospects likely. Don’t take your chances on making matters worse than they must be – make sure you have an outstanding Los Angeles criminal defense attorney from Okabe & Haushalter on your team.
To schedule a free initial consultation, and discover how our courtroom excellence can work in your favor, call us today on 310-543-7708.