Juvenile Charged with Setting Fire to Newark School Bathroom
A 13-year-old was recently arrested after setting fire to a school bathroom on the second floor of the Dr. William H. Horton School in Newark, according to a news report in The Star-Ledger. The seventh grader was arrested after investigators reviewed school surveillance tapes. The fire spread through the second and third floors and approximately 1,000 students were evacuated from the building. The juvenile was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center.
According to New Jersey Statute 2C:17-1: “A person is guilty of arson, a crime of the third degree, if he purposely starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or another's thereby placing a building or person in danger.” The location where the fire is set and the potential victims of the fire may determine the extent of charges and penalties the juvenile will face.
Juveniles charged with arson face serious penalties, including juvenile detention. In cases where someone was seriously injured or the suspect has a criminal history, the youth may be tried in adult court. Failure to secure the right representation could put the juvenile in danger of facing serious charges that may result in life-changing consequences.
The Princeton juvenile crime defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein fight to protect the future of our young clients who have been charged with a crime in New Jersey. We diligently work with families to achieve the best possible outcome in their particular case. If your son or daughter has been accused of a crime in New Jersey, please contact our law offices at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation today.
