Los Angeles Arson Defense Lawyers

Have You Been Charged With Arson in Los Angeles?

Arson is one of the most serious and aggressively prosecuted felonies in California. Prosecutors treat fire-related crimes as public safety threats, and they can pursue lengthy prison sentences even when the alleged damage is minimal or unintentional.

Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP has successfully represented clients accused of arson across Los Angeles County and throughout California. We understand the science behind fire investigation, how to expose flawed assumptions about intent, and how to protect clients when emotions and property losses cloud the facts.

Why Choose Us Over Other Los Angeles Arson Defense Lawyers

Whether the accusation stems from a house fire, vehicle blaze, or brushfire, you’re probably facing a serious investigation driven by fire marshals, insurance investigators, and law enforcement specialists who are quick to assume intent. Arson charges demand aggressive and strategic defense from Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys who know exactly how to fight them.

• Elite trial lawyers with decades of experience in Los Angeles County courts, handling complex arson and major felony cases.
• Former prosecutors who understand fire investigation procedures, charging strategies, and how to identify weak spots in the government’s evidence.
• Successful record defending high-profile and high-dollar cases involving residential, commercial, and wildland fires.
• Access to top fire science experts, engineers, and forensic investigators who can analyze burn patterns, accelerant residue, and ignition sources.
• Aggressive motion practice that challenges illegal searches, improper warrants, and speculative forensic claims.
• Proven negotiation leverage; we frequently convince prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges when the science doesn’t hold up.
• Relentless advocacy, from bail hearings to trial. We fight to protect your freedom, your reputation, and your future.

Every Minute Counts After an Arson Arrest.

Let our experienced Los Angeles arson defense lawyers step in before charges escalate. Call (213) 688-0460 to learn more today.

Reasons to Contact an Arson Defense Lawyer Right Away

The moment investigators suspect you of arson, the clock starts ticking. Here’s why timely legal action is so important:

• Evidence can disappear. Fire scenes are cleared and demolished quickly. We send expert investigators immediately to preserve what law enforcement missed or misinterpreted.
• Investigators overreach. Fire marshals, insurance companies, and detectives may pressure you for statements. Without counsel, you risk handing them ammunition.
• Insurance and criminal investigations overlap. Statements made to insurers can be subpoenaed and used against you in criminal court.
• Bail and release decisions happen early. A skilled lawyer can argue for release conditions, bail reductions, or supervised release.
• Early legal action can prevent overcharging. Many arson cases start as suspicious fire investigations. Early defense advocacy can steer prosecutors away from filing criminal charges at all.

What Is Arson?

Under California Penal Code § 451, arson is willfully and maliciously setting fire to or burning any structure, forest land, or property. This means prosecutors must prove intent, that you purposely set a fire or caused it to burn.

There’s also the charge of unlawfully causing a fire (Penal Code § 452), which covers reckless, rather than intentional, conduct, such as mishandling flammable materials or causing an accidental blaze through negligence. The difference between malicious and reckless behavior can be the difference between a misdemeanor and a devastating felony.

What to Do If You Are Arrested

• Invoke your rights immediately. Clearly state: “I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer.” Then stop talking.
• Do not answer investigator or insurance questions. These conversations are rarely “off the record.”
• Do not consent to searches. Investigators need warrants; if they have one, comply peacefully, but don’t volunteer information.
• Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP immediately. We’ll step in to protect your rights and start your defense strategy.
• Avoid discussing your case with anyone but your attorney, especially on jail phones (which are recorded) or online.
• Preserve your own evidence. Keep photos, videos, receipts, and communication records that could prove your whereabouts or contradict allegations.

Legal Penalties for Arson?

Arson convictions carry devastating penalties, and prosecutors often stack enhancements for injury, occupied structures, or prior records. Under Penal Code § 451, arson is always a felony.

Basic Penalties

• Arson of personal property: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
• Arson of a structure or forest land: 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison.
• Arson causing great bodily injury: 5, 7, or 9 years.
• Arson of an inhabited structure or property: 3, 5, or 8 years.
• Aggravated arson: 10 years to life in prison.

Fines can reach $50,000 or more, and you’ll be ordered to pay full restitution for damages. Because arson is considered a violent felony, it counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, doubling sentences for future felonies and requiring at least 85% of time served before parole eligibility.

Additional Consequences of a Conviction

The legal sentence is just the start. A conviction for arson can impact every part of your life:

• Permanent criminal record: Arson is a serious felony that cannot be expunged if you served prison time.
• Loss of employment and professional licenses: Fire-related convictions are disqualifying in most licensed professions.
• Immigration consequences: For non-citizens, arson is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” and a “crime of violence,” often leading to deportation.
• Loss of housing opportunities: Many landlords and housing programs automatically deny applicants with arson convictions.
• Civil lawsuits: Property owners, insurance companies, or municipalities may sue for damages.
• Probation restrictions: Including no-contact orders, travel limitations, and mandatory counseling or restitution payments.

Protect Your Rights. Protect Your Future.

Arson charges can destroy everything you’ve built. Call (213) 688-0460 to speak with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP right now.

What Are the Legal Defenses for Arson?

The state’s evidence often relies on fire science that’s outdated, misinterpreted, or incomplete. Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP knows how to employ effective defenses against an arson charge.

Accident or Natural Cause

Fires start from countless non-criminal causes, such as electrical failures, spontaneous combustion, lightning, faulty wiring, or appliance malfunctions. Many arson investigations start with assumptions, not proof. Our defense team works with fire experts to pinpoint non-human ignition sources.

Lack of Intent

To prove arson, prosecutors must show you intended to cause a fire or acted with malicious disregard. If evidence suggests accident, mistake, or carelessness, the charge should be reduced or dismissed.

Wrongful Identification

If you were accused based on circumstantial evidence such as allegedly being present near a scene, we attack the reliability of the identification and any biased investigation that led to it.

Insufficient Evidence

Arson cases often lack direct proof. When the cause of fire cannot be determined with scientific certainty, the prosecution’s case collapses. We push to have such cases dismissed outright.

Alibi or Alternate Suspect

We investigate timelines, witnesses, digital data, and physical evidence to establish you weren’t present or that someone else may have been responsible.

Violations of Your Constitutional Rights

If law enforcement conducted unlawful searches, coerced statements, or collected evidence without proper warrants, we move to suppress that evidence and weaken the state’s case.

Unproven Financial Motives

In alleged insurance arson cases, we expose flawed financial assumptions. Economic hardship doesn’t prove criminal intent, and investigators often get the numbers wrong.

How an Experienced Los Angeles Arson Defense Lawyer Can Help

Fighting an arson charge requires technical knowledge, investigative skill, and courtroom credibility.

Independent Fire Investigation

We bring in certified fire investigators and engineers to re-examine the scene, identify electrical or accidental causes, and refute state conclusions. These findings often make or break the case.

Filing Protective Motions

We challenge unlawful searches, flawed warrants, and coerced statements under Penal Code § 1538.5. If critical evidence is excluded, the case can unravel before trial.

Expert Testimony

Our experts testify on ignition dynamics, accelerant analysis, and false arson indicators, educating the jury on how easily investigators can misread evidence.

Negotiation and Charge Reduction

When dismissal isn’t immediately possible, we pursue reduced charges such as reckless burning (Penal Code § 452) or property damage misdemeanors, minimizing penalties and avoiding “strike” consequences.

Trial Defense

From cross-examining fire marshals to exposing gaps in lab testing, we put the state’s entire case under a microscope. Our trial attorneys are known for clear, compelling courtroom presentations that resonate with juries.

Protecting Your Public Image

In high-profile or newsworthy cases, we manage media exposure strategically, to help protect your privacy and control the narrative where possible.

Speak With an Experienced Arson Attorney in Los Angeles

Our firm has successfully defended clients in the toughest courts across California, and we’re ready to fight for you. We’ll move fast, protect your rights, and build the strongest possible defense, whether that means negotiating a dismissal or taking your case to trial.

Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles arson defense lawyers. The sooner we start building a case, the better your chances of receiving a favorable outcome.

Call (213) 688-0460 today for top-notch legal aid.

Case Result

Alan Jackson represented a 28-year-old man accused of starting a brush fire when he tossed a live firework into a homeless encampment. Mr. Jackson argued in favor of a diversion program, as his client’s ADHD made him act out impulsively rather than deliberately and with malice. In spite of the District Attorney’s tough opposition, the judge granted Mr. Jackson’s request for diversion to a mental health program.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

I would trust them with my life -JoAnn G. (5-Star Yelp Review)

They're amazing with integrity and accessibility. They truly saved the life of someone I know. I recommend them beyond all. I would trust them with my life.

Best Attorney in LA! -Anonymous (5-Star Avvo Review)

Best Attorney in LA! Having Alan Jackson as my lead attorney on 3 separate cases (one felony, and two misdemeanors) was the best decision of my life. I was facing 6-8 years in prison, and he was able to have all three charges dismissed. He's got the skills, connections, and the charisma to aid anyone in any situation. He's a Hollywood, a-list attorney who is empathetic and can make the connection to anyone's situation. Now he and his team come at a price but, hell, it's damn worth every penny if you want to be represented by the best that Southern California has to offer. You simply cannot put a price on the service that he and his reputable firm bring to your side. I interviewed several prominent law firms before I chose Alan Jackson. He has that "it" factor, folks, and you can sense it right away. Thanks again, Alan, for being the best sir.

Arson FAQS

What counts as arson under California law?

In California, arson (Penal Code § 451) means willfully and maliciously setting fire to or burning any property, structure, or forest land. Prosecutors must prove you acted intentionally, not by accident or negligence. Even if you didn’t personally light the fire, helping, planning, or encouraging someone else to do it can also result in arson charges.

What’s the difference between arson and reckless burning?

The key difference is intent. Arson requires a deliberate act, while reckless burning (Penal Code § 452) applies when someone unintentionally starts a fire through carelessness, like discarding a cigarette or mishandling flammable materials. Reckless burning is usually punished less severely, and an experienced defense attorney can often negotiate a reduction from arson to reckless burning.

What are the penalties for arson in California?

Arson is always a felony, and penalties depend on what or who was affected:

• Property arson: 16 months, 2, or 3 years in state prison.
• Structure or forest land: 2, 4, or 6 years.
• Inhabited structure or property: 3, 5, or 8 years.
• Arson causing great bodily injury: 5, 7, or 9 years.
• Aggravated arson: 10 years to life.

Fines can reach $50,000 or more, plus restitution to victims. Because arson is a “strike” offense, a conviction can double future sentences under California’s Three Strikes Law.

Can I be charged with arson if the fire was accidental?

Not if the fire was truly accidental. However, investigators often assume intent when the cause is unclear. Faulty wiring, spontaneous combustion, or equipment malfunction can mimic intentional ignition patterns. That’s why having independent fire experts review the scene is crucial, and it’s something Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP does immediately in arson cases.

What if I’m accused of arson for insurance fraud?

Insurance arson means setting fire to property to collect insurance money. It combines arson charges with fraud allegations, exposing you to multiple felonies and the possibility of spending decades in prison. Prosecutors rely heavily on financial records, motive theories, and circumstantial evidence. Our firm works with financial experts to counteract those assumptions and expose weaknesses in the state’s case.

What should I do if I’m being investigated for arson but haven’t been charged yet?

Do not talk to investigators or insurance adjusters without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used to build a case against you. Instead, contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP immediately at (213) 688-0460. We’ll contact investigators on your behalf, assert your rights, and start preparing your defense before charges are even filed.

How does your firm defend against arson charges?

Our defense begins with independent investigation and fire analysis. We work with certified fire scientists to re-examine the scene and challenge the prosecution’s assumptions about accelerants or ignition sources. We also file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, expose false or misleading forensics, and present alternate explanations that create reasonable doubt.

Meet Our Los Angeles Arson Defense Attorneys

Mark Werksman

Mark Werksman is one of California’s most respected and accomplished criminal defense attorneys. As a founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, he brings more than three decades of courtroom experience and a reputation built on excellence, discretion, and results. Known for handling Los Angeles’s most complex, high-stakes criminal cases, Mark has earned the trust of judges, prosecutors, and clients alike, because he wins where others hesitate.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is one of the top criminal defense attorneys in California. He is a founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP and a former Major Crimes prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. His trial record and command of forensic evidence earned him national recognition and media respect for his precision and integrity inside the courtroom.

Kelly Quinn

Kelly Quinn is a powerhouse criminal defense attorney and partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, one of Los Angeles’s premier criminal defense firms. Known for her sharp intellect, courtroom confidence, and relentless advocacy, Kelly represents clients facing some of the most serious and high-profile criminal charges in California. Her practice covers white collar crimes, violent felonies, sex offenses, and complex multi-defendant cases, often involving intense public scrutiny or sensitive personal circumstances.

Additional Information

• Can You Still Be Charged with Arson if You Start a Fire Accidentally?