Arson

What is Arson?
Arson is the act of destroying real or personal property by using fire. Arson can be classified as either a felony or misdemeanor offense with the punishments ranging from prison time to informal probation with permanent marks on your criminal record.

Elements of the Crime
It is important to remember that every state has its own laws governing the specifics of arson, but there are some common factors that are consistent in most states. In order to prove arson, the following elements are generally required:

The fire occurred a in a structure or property under protection of the law
The fire or burning was intentional
Someone set the fire, caused it to be set, or otherwise furthered the act

If convicted
If you are convicted of arson, you might be subject to the following:

Jail or prison sentence, probation, or parole
Fines
Mandatory classes
Permanent record

Factors affecting sentence

Severity of the offense
Prior convictions
Injuries caused as a result the offense
Current probation or parole status

Civil consequences
On the civil side, if you are found to be liable for your actions, you may have to pay for damages to any victims for:

Injuries that resulted from the fire
Medical expenses
Property damages
Punitive damages

In all arson matters, it is recommended that you seek professional legal assistance to protect your interests. A lawyer who has experience in this area of law can give legal advice that will assist you with the matter and will ensure that the judicial process is properly followed.