Reckless Burning Lawyer in Eastern Washington

Reckless Burning charges are serious cases in Washington State. A conviction can lead to prison time and substantial fines, and the court can order restitution in enormous amounts. You should retain a top criminal defense attorney. Steve Graham was rated one of Spokane's top five criminal lawyers by the magazine Spokane - Couer d'Alene Living. Reckless Burning in Washington comes in two levels, first and second degree.

First Degree Reckless Burning

The crime of First Degree Reckless Burning is committed when a person causes or starts a fire, and recklessly allows that fire to damage a building, vehicle, crop, or timber. It is different from Arson in that Arson requires that the initial starting of the fire be done knowingly and maliciously.

As a criminal defense lawyer, Mr. Graham has seen Reckless Burning charges brought when a person starts a campfire in a dry, windy climate, and fails to attend to the fire. Reckless Burning in the First Degree is a class C felony, and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, and a fine of $10,000. However, the standard range sentence for a person without any criminal history is 0-60 days in the county jail.

Reckless Burning in the Second Degree

The crime of Second Degree Reckless Burning is committed when a person causes or starts a fire, and endangers a building, vehicle, crop, or timber. No proof of actual damage is required, as is the case with First Degree Reckless Burning. This offense is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. Many of these charges result from a person burning yard waste or a slash pile. The local police can investigate these matters but often it is the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

If you are suspected of Reckless Burning, it is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. You should not make a statement to any investigator or insurance agent until you have spoken to a criminal defense attorney.

Free Consultation

If you want to discuss your Reckless Burning case with a lawyer, please call. We do free consultations on criminal charge matters in Spokane, and all of eastern Washington.