Q: I’m located in Texas. A family member was just charged with first degree felony Arson. Who’s much time is he looking at?
A:
In Texas, first-degree arson is a serious crime that can be punished by life in prison or a term of 5 to 99 years in prison. The specific sentence that your family member will receive will depend on the facts of their case, including the severity of the damage caused by the fire and whether anyone was injured or killed.
Here are some of the factors that the court will consider when sentencing your family member:
The extent of the damage caused by the fire
Whether anyone was injured or killed
The defendant's criminal history
The defendant's motive for setting the fire
The defendant's remorse
The defendant's likelihood of rehabilitation
If your family member is convicted of first-degree arson, they will also be required to pay restitution to the victims of the fire. This means that they will have to pay for the cost of repairing or replacing any property that was damaged by the fire.
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