Aggravated Arson - Utah
Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal conviction for aggravated arson can result in a
life
prison term. Stephen Howard has successfully defended some of
the
most serious criminal charges on the books in Utah, including
homicide,
arson,
robbery,
kidnapping,
and many more. If you are facing
criminal prosecution for aggravated arson or other crimes, you need a
Utah
criminal defense
attorney with real
experience, and a
record
of achieving real results.
Contact us today to arrange
for an initial consultation.
Elements of an Aggravated Arson Charge in Utah

The chief distinction between an ordinary arson charge and an
aggravated arson charge is the nature of the place or thing burned.
Typical arson charges in Utah involve the destruction of or damage to
property by means of fire or explosives. While many Utah crimes can be
enhanced to an "
aggravated"
offense based on the use of a weapon or on the severity of injuries
inflicted, an aggravated arson charge achieves this enhancement based
on the threat to human safety that is posed by the act of arson.
An arson charge becomes "aggravated" under Utah law if the property
involved is a home (house, apartment, condominium, etc.) or any other
structure or vehicle where a person is present. The statutory language
states that an aggravated arson is committed "if by means of fire or
explosives" a person "intentionally and unlawfully damages: (a) a
habitable structure; or (b) any structure or vehicle when any person
not a participant in the offense is in the structure or vehicle."
Consequences of an Aggravated Arson Conviction in Utah
While the maximum potential
punishment for an
aggravated arson charge in Utah is life in prison, simply being charged
with aggravated arson does not mean that your life is over. You have
multiple options for defending a criminal case in Utah. An experienced
criminal defense attorney can work with you to determine the best
strategy for defending your case.
In some situations, the best strategy is to take the case to trial.
Other cases will benefit from a negotiated resolution. Negotiated
resolutions to a charge for aggravated arson could include a reduction
in the level of the charge or sentencing recommendations that involve
probation or reduced sentences. Final sentencing decisions are made the
by the judge, but having an experienced criminal lawyer on your side
can substantially improve your chances of success.
Finding a Criminal Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
Defending
a criminal charge of aggravated arson requires an attorney
capable of handling complex defense cases. And with a life
prison
term on the line, the stakes are high. Based in
Salt
Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard has
successfully handled thousands of serious
felony
charges during his
career.
Contact us now to
learn what an experienced
Utah
criminal
defense lawyer can do for you.

A Utah criminal prosecution can result in a lifetime of consequences. Beyond jail and prison, a conviction can affect many areas of life, including employment, housing, finances, family, and much more. Never plead guilty without first consulting with an experienced criminal attorney. Understanding what is at stake is the first step....
Consequences
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