A woman has been charged with First Degree Arson, Attempted Murder, and Domestic Violence in Arapahoe County this week. In late June, a fire burned at a Centennial apartment complex. Four units were destroyed, and eight people were injured. It is important to understand the complexities of Arson, and how multiple charges are often filed after an incident. Let's look closer at this case in order to better understand this crime.

Charged with First Degree Arson and Attempted Murder?

According to fire investigators, the apartment fire began in a stairwell of the apartment complex. The police believe the fire was the result of Arson because arson dogs detected the smell of chemical accelerants which are commonly used to start fires. It is important to understand how common it is for a person charged with Arson to also be charged with attempted murder, since people's lives are put at risk whenever a fire is started in an Attempted Murder and Arson are often charged together, because people's lives are at risk in an apartment fire.occupied structure. Residents of the apartment were trapped, and forced to rappel or jump off of balconies. Many people didn't know if they would make it out of the apartment complex before being overcome by the smoke. Because so many people were put at risk, the District Attorney wants to charge the woman detained for the crime with 40 counts of attempted murder.

Charged with Arson?

Arson and Domestic Violence: How They're Connected

The woman accused of Arson in the Centennial fire has also been charged with Domestic Violence. For the average person, this doesn't make sense. Why would she be charged with Domestic Violence for starting a fire? Domestic Violence (DV) is a sentence – enhancer which is added whenever a crime is committed by a person for the purpose of revenge, control, intimidation, coercion, or punishment against a person with whom they have had an intimate relationship. In other words, the police most likely believe the woman started the fire in an effort to get revenge, or intimidate someone she was in a relationship with at some point. Whenever a person is convicted of a Domestic Violence crime in Douglas, El Paso, or Larimer County, they will be required to undergo DV treatment overseen by the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB).

Charged with First Degree Arson? Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with First Degree Arson, or Second or Third Degree Arson in Denver, Adams, or Jefferson County, you need to contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately. Arson is often charged with other serious offenses such as murder, so you need to have experience on your side. Don't put your life in the hands of an attorney who doesn't focus solely on criminal law. You need to contact a lawyer who has a thorough understand of criminal law and who has experience defending people who have been charged with First Degree Arson. Don't lose hope if you are facing Arson charges – contact an experienced attorney who will advocate on your behalf in court.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one has been charged with First Degree Arson, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880 for a free consultation. Together, we will protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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