When you’re charged with arson in Boulder County, everything goes up in smoke fast. Prosecutors treat arson as one of the most serious property crimes because of its potential for catastrophic damage and loss of life. One accusation can mean decades in prison, permanent felony records, and massive restitution orders.
Don’t let an arson charge ruin your future. The prosecution is already building their case. Contact our Boulder arson defense lawyers at Dawson Law Office now to start building yours.
Colorado Arson Charges Explained
Arson isn’t just one crime in Colorado. Prosecutors have multiple charging options, each carrying devastating consequences:
First Degree Arson (C.R.S. § 18-4-102)
When they claim you knowingly set fire to:
- Any building or occupied structure
- Any property causing another person injury
- Property worth $100 or more
Penalties:
- Class 3 felony
- 4-12 years in prison
- Up to $750,000 in fines
- Mandatory parole
- Restitution for all damages
Second Degree Arson (C.R.S. § 18-4-103)
Setting fire to:
- Property worth $100 or more
- No building/structure involved
Consequences vary by damage amount:
- Under $2000: Class 2 misdemeanor
- $2000-$100,000: Class 4 felony
- Over $100,000: Class 3 felony
Fourth Degree Arson (C.R.S. § 18-4-105)
Knowingly/recklessly starting a fire that:
- Places another in danger of injury
- Threatens any property
- Classifications based on damage amount
How Prosecutors Build Arson Cases
Arson investigations combine old-school detective work with forensic science. Here’s how prosecutors build these cases against you:
- The Fire Scene Investigation
- First responders document initial fire conditions
- Fire investigators identify burn patterns and potential origins
- Teams collect debris samples and document accelerant traces
- Experts photograph and map the entire scene
- Investigators interview witnesses while memories are fresh
- The Laboratory Analysis
- Debris undergoes chemical testing for accelerants
- Gas chromatography identifies specific substances
- Materials are analyzed for burn patterns
- Temperature studies determine fire progression
- Computer modeling reconstructs the fire’s spread
- The Police Investigation
- Detectives gather surveillance footage from nearby cameras
- Financial records are examined for potential motives
- Cell phone records track your movements
- Social media posts are scrutinized
- Witness statements are collected and compared
- Building Their Theory
- Origin and cause experts write their reports
- Lab results are matched to scene evidence
- Witness statements are aligned with physical evidence
- Timeline of events is constructed
- Motive is established through circumstantial evidence
This comprehensive approach means you need a defense team that understands both the science and the law to effectively challenge their case.
How We Fight Arson Charges in Boulder, CO
Every arson case presents multiple defense opportunities:
Challenge the Science
Fire investigation isn’t perfect:
- Burn patterns can be misinterpreted
- Multiple ignition sources exist
- Evidence gets destroyed by firefighting
- Alternative causes get overlooked
- Expert opinions conflict
Attack Their Evidence
We scrutinize:
- Fire investigator qualifications
- Investigation procedures
- Evidence collection methods
- Laboratory testing protocols
- Chain of custody issues
Question Intent
Prosecutors must prove fires were intentionally set:
- Accidental causes
- Electrical problems
- Natural phenomena
- Construction issues
- Maintenance failures
Constitutional Issues
We examine:
- Search warrant validity
- Evidence collection procedures
- Statement voluntariness
- Rights advisements
- Due process violations
Special Considerations in Arson Cases
Arson charges trigger a cascade of problems. The moment you’re accused, insurance companies launch their own investigations, often denying coverage and canceling policies before you’re even convicted. Even if you’re found not guilty, you could face years of fighting to get claims paid, restore coverage, or find new insurance. The financial impact can be devastating, especially if you own a business or investment property.
Beyond insurance issues, an arson conviction becomes a lifetime barrier to rebuilding your life. Employers see you as a massive liability. Professional licenses get revoked. Housing applications get denied. Even decades later, that arson conviction follows you, limiting where you can live, work, and what you can build. It’s not just about doing time – it’s about what happens after, which is why mounting an aggressive defense from day one is crucial.
Why Arson Defense Experience Matters
Arson cases demand attorneys who understand both fire science and criminal defense. This isn’t the time for a general practice lawyer who handles occasional criminal cases. These are complex, technical cases where investigators use specialized tools, procedures, and scientific analysis to build their case.
One wrong move in challenging their evidence – like misunderstanding burn patterns or failing to question lab procedures – can destroy your entire defense. We know how to dissect fire science, challenge expert witnesses, and protect you from both criminal charges and insurance nightmares.
That’s why your first moves after an arson charge are critical.
- Don’t talk to investigators – their “routine questions” are designed to trap you.
- Don’t let insurance lapse – they’re looking for any reason to deny coverage.
- And most importantly, don’t wait to get experienced counsel.
While you’re trying to figure out what to do, investigators are gathering evidence, witnesses are making statements, and your defense options are going up in smoke. The prosecution builds these cases fast – you need an attorney who knows how to fight back faster.
Why Choose Dawson Law Office
We bring real arson defense experience:
- Deep knowledge of fire science
- Understanding of investigation procedures
- Relationships with expert witnesses
- Experience challenging technical evidence
- Track record in complex cases
We know how arson cases work:
- What motivates prosecutors
- How investigators build cases
- When to challenge evidence
- How to fight technical testimony
- When to negotiate
Every day matters in arson cases. Don’t let an arson charge destroy everything you’ve built. Contact Dawson Law Office now for a case evaluation. We’ll analyze your situation, explain your options, and show you how we can fight to protect your future.
