Intentional Burning of Lands in Florida

Under Florida Statute 590.28(1), Intentional Burning of Lands is defined as burning or setting fire to any wild land or vegetative land owned by another person without the owner’s permission.

General Intent Crime

The crime of Intentional Burning of Lands is a general intent crime, which means that the State is not required to prove that you specifically knew discarding an object would cause a wildfire.

Penalties for Intentional Burning of Lands

In Florida, the crime of Intentional Burning of Lands is a First Degree Misdemeanor punishable by up to one (1) year in jail, one (1) year of probation, and a $1,000 fine.

Intentional Burning of Lands is a First Degree Misdemeanor.

If convicted of Intentional Burning of Lands, a judge may sentence a person to probation, but may also impose a sentence up to the statutory maximum of one year in jail.

Defenses to Intentional Burning of Lands

In addition to the pretrial defenses and trial defenses that can be raised in any criminal case, specific defenses to the crime of Intentional Burning of Lands are:

Lack of Vegetation

If the ignition source was discarded in an area that lacked combustible vegetation, such as a mall parking lot, the State would be unable to prove that a “wildfire” could occur.

Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby

If you have been arrested or charged with the crime of Intentional Burning of Lands in Central Florida or the Greater Orlando area, contact Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby today.

The initial consultation is free and I am always available to advise you on the proper course of action that can be taken.