Passaic County NJ Arson Defense Lawyer
Skilled criminal defense lawyer Alissa D. Hascup represents clients throughout Passaic County New Jersey who have been charged with property offenses, including arson, trespassing, and burglary in Paterson, Passaic, Wayne, and other Passaic County towns.
She has successfully handled thousands of cases in New Jersey, in Superior Court (indictable/felony level offenses) and Municipal Court (disorderly persons/misdemeanor level offenses). Ms. Hascup is a former Morris County Assistant Prosecutor who handled a host of cases, ranging from aggravated assault to burglary during the course of her career.
Being convicted of the crime of arson can have serious, permanent consequences. You need skilled, aggressive legal representation at every stage of the legal process. Ms. Hascup is a talented attorney who will attack the State’s case and fight to achieve the best possible result for you.
Contact her office anytime for an initial consultation, which is always provided free of charge.
Arson in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1
Arson is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1, which provides:
a. Aggravated Arson. A person is guilty of aggravated arson, a crime of the second degree, if he starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or another s:
- Thereby purposely or knowingly placing another person in danger of death or bodily injury; or
- With the purpose of destroying a building or structure of another; or
- With the purpose of collecting insurance for the destruction or damage to such property under circumstances which recklessly place any other person in danger of death or bodily injury; or
- With the purpose of destroying or damaging a structure in order to exempt the structure, completely or partially, from the provisions of any State, county or local zoning, planning or building law, regulation, ordinance or enactment under circumstances which recklessly place any other person in danger of death or bodily injury; or
- With the purpose of destroying or damaging any forest.
b. Arson. A person is guilty of arson, a crime of the third degree, if he purposely starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or another s:
- Thereby recklessly placing another person in danger of death or bodily injury; or
- Thereby recklessly placing a building or structure of another in danger of damage or destruction; or
- With the purpose of collecting insurance for the destruction or damage to such property; or
- With the purpose of destroying or damaging a structure in order to exempt the structure, completely or partially, from the provisions of any State, county or local zoning, planning or building law, regulation, ordinance or enactment; or
- Thereby recklessly placing a forest in danger of damage or destruction.
Notably, any person who, directly or indirectly, pays or accepts or offers to pay or accept any form or consideration including, but not limited to, money or any other pecuniary benefit, regardless of whether any consideration is actually exchanged for the purpose of starting a fire or causing an explosion commits a crime of the second degree.
Aggravated Arson is a crime of the second degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Moreover, a conviction for Aggravated Arson under paragraph (1) is an enumerated crime under the No Early Release Act ( NERA ), meaning that 85% of the sentence imposed must be served before becoming eligible for parole.
Arson is a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Contact a Totowa NJ Arson Defense Attorney Today
Should you find yourself in a situation where you or a loved one have been charged with Arson, don’t delay in hiring legal representation. The consequences of a criminal conviction are serious. Alissa D. Hascup can help. Contact her now for a free consultation about your case.
