An attempted arson conviction was handed down this past Fall. Despite the pandemic, Bergen County held one of the first jury trials since Covid-19 shutdown the State back in March, 2020. It was alleged that the defendant took a can of gasoline and dumped it over his former wife’s house. Thereafter, he apparently fled from the scene. Approximately twenty minutes later the defendant turned himself into the police. In addition to being convicted of attempted arson, he was also convicted of fleeing the police, and terroristic threats. The defendant was, however, acquitted of attempted murder. A Bergen County Judge sentenced the defendant to eighteen years in state prison. The defendant will have to serve sixteen years before becoming eligible for parole.

Hackensack Attempted Arson Lawyer

The attempted arson charge, codified under New Jersey law as 2C:5-1A(1). The charge the defendant faced above was a second degree crime. A second degree crime carries with it up to ten (10) years in a New Jersey state prison. In addition to this, it also carries up to a $150,000 fine. Lastly, a second degree indictable carries a presumption of incarceration. That means that if you or a loved one is convicted of a second degree attempted arson, it is presumed at sentencing that he/she will be sent to prison.

Hackensack Fleeing Police Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, we have:

  • Eleven (11) criminal defense attorneys on staff
    • Combined together, over 200 years of experience
  • Eight (8) former prosecutors on staff
    • Four (4) were former county prosecutors who’ve tried high-profiled murders trials before a jury during their tenure as prosecutors
    • Many held directorial positions during their tenures as former assistant county prosecutors
      • One (1) was the head of the Drug, Gang, and Gun Task force
      • One (1) was the head of the Major Crimes Division
      • One (1) was the head of the Trial team
      • One (1) attorney tried thirty murder cases to verdict, and won every single on of them
    • Three (3) former municipal prosecutors
  • Multiple attorneys selected to either the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 or Top 40 Under 40
  • Two (2) attorneys selected to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for criminal defense
    • Only 2.5% of attorneys in New Jersey are selected to said list
  • One (1) attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney
    • Less than 1% of attorneys hold this distinction in New Jersey

Please give our office a call if you or a loved one has been charged with a crime at 201-201-0086.