Virginia Defense of Arson and Bombing Charges
Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Arson and Bombing Criminal Defense Attorneys and Lawyers
If you have been charged with an arson or bombing crime in Fairfax County or Northern Virginia, you are facing a very serious criminal charge with the possibility of significant incarceration.
If you have been arrested for a Virginia arson or bombing offense, you need to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Given the seriousness of these crimes, anyone charged should consult with a lawyer that has previously handled such cases.
As a former prosecutor in the largest jurisdiction in Virginia, Kyle G. Manikas has previously handled cases involving arson and bombing. In these cases, physical evidence, lab analyses, expert testimony, and witness accounts can be critical. Our firm will perform a sound analysis of all evidence and provide essential trial strategies to present you with the best possible defense.
While there are many defense lawyers, there are only a handful of defense attorneys with the skill and experience to handle cases of this level. Who you hire could be one of the most important life decisions you make.
To discuss your case with Kyle G. Manikas, a former prosecutor and Fairfax County and Northern Virginia criminal defense attornety that has substantial experience in handling arson and bombing cases, or to schedule a free consultation, contact our law office at 703-873-7473 or 888-503-8075, or contact us by e-mail.
Arson and Bombing Offenses
•· Burning or destroying dwelling house (Va. Code 18.2-77) - This crime is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or for any period not less than five years and a fine of not more than $100,000. However, if the dwelling house/home is unoccupied, the crime is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
•· Burning or destroying meeting house (Va. Code 18.2-79) - If any person maliciously burns any meeting house, courthouse, townhouse, college, academy, schoolhouse, or other building erected for public use at a time when any person is inside, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony punishable by 5 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If such offense is committed when no person is in such building, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.
•· Burning or destroying any other building or structure (Va. Code 18.2-80) - If any person maliciously burns, or by the use of any explosive device or substance, maliciously destroys, in whole or in part, of any building, bridge, lock, dam or other structure, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony punishable by 5 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If he commits such offense at a time when no person is in such building, or other structure, and such building, or other structure, with the property inside, is valued at least $200, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000
•· Burning or destroying personal property (Va. Code 18.2-81) - If any person maliciously, or with intent to defraud an insurance company or other person, sets fire to or burn or destroy by any explosive device or substance, any personal property, and the thing burnt or destroyed was worth at least $200, the accused shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. If the thing burnt or destroyed was worth less than $200, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
•· Burning a building or structure while in such building or structure with intent to commit felony (Va. Code 18.2-82) - Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.
•· Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings (Va. Code 18.2-83) - Any person (a) who makes and communicates to another by any means any threat to bomb, burn, destroy or in any manner damage any place of assembly, building or other structure, or any means of transportation, or (b) who communicates to another, by any means, information, knowing the same to be false, as to the existence of any peril of bombing, burning, destruction or damage to any such place of assembly, building or other structure, or any means of transportation, shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony (punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine); provided, however, that if such person be under fifteen years of age (a juvenile), he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor (punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine).
•· Manufacture, possession, use, etc., of fire bombs or explosive materials or devices (Va. Code 18.2-85) - Any person who (i) possesses materials with which fire bombs or explosive materials or devices can be made with the intent to manufacture fire bombs or explosive materials or devices or, (ii) manufactures, transports, distributes, possesses or uses a fire bomb or explosive materials or devices shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony (punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine). Moreover, any person who constructs, uses, places, sends, or causes to be sent any hoax explosive device so as to intentionally cause another person to believe that such device is a bomb or explosive shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony (punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $2,500 fine).
•· Setting woods, etc., on fire intentionally whereby another is damaged or jeopardized (Va. Code 18.2-87) - Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
•· Setting off chemical bombs capable of producing smoke in certain public buildings (Va. Code 18.2-87.1) - Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
•· Carelessly damaging property by fire (Va. Code 18.2-88) - If any person carelessly, negligently or intentionally set any woods or marshes on fire, or set fire to any stubble, brush, straw, or any other substance capable of spreading fire on lands, whereby the property of another is damaged or jeopardized, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor (punishable by a fine of $250).
Contact An Experienced Fairfax County and Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for any form of arson or bombing, contact a former prosecutor and experienced criminal defense lawyer at Manikas Law LLC. Kyle G. Manikas has substantial experience in handling arson and bombing cases.
To schedule a free consultation or to discuss your case by phone, contact our law office at 703-873-7473 or 888-503-8075, or contact us by e-mail.
