A North Miami Beach woman is charged with arson for setting her boyfriend's home on fire on Thursday, April 25, 2013. The suspect, 52 year old D.B., allegedly set the blaze at L.H.'s house after becoming angry when she found the phone numbers of other women on her boyfriend's phone.
According to investigators, D.B. doused the furniture and clothing in a back room of the house with grill lighter fluid and then used a match to start a fire. North Miami Beach Police officers apprehended the suspect as she walked down the street near the home, and she admitted guilt and was placed under arrest. No one was in the house when the fire was started and there were no injuries, but the house was deemed a total loss. D.B. remains behind bars as she awaits trial for arson charges.
Arson is a serious violent felony in the state of Florida that carries harsh penalties. According to Title XLVI § 806.01 of the Florida statutes, a person can be charged with arson if they willfully or unlawfully cause damage by fire or explosion to:
- Any dwelling and its contents, whether or not it is occupied
- Any structure in which people are normally present
- Any other structure that is known to be occupied or which should have been known to be occupied
Conviction for any of the above arson offenses is a first degree felony. Under Florida law, sentencing for a first degree felony can include fines of as much as $15,000, incarceration in a state prison for up to 30 years, or both. If you are accused of committing arson and faced with these severe penalties, it is important to obtain knowledgeable legal counsel as soon as possible. Our proven Miami criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Michael Mirer, P.A. has defended countless clients against serious felony charges, and he can fight for you as well. Fill out a free case evaluation form today to learn more about your legal options!