A recent pageant winner has relinquished her crown after being charged with a criminal offense. What did she do to instigate the relinquishment of her duties as pageant queen? Hurling bombs at houses as a “prank.” If this offense had taken place in Weld, Morgan, or Logan County, the former beauty queen would be charged with Fourth Degree Arson – C.R.S. 18-4-105 (she lives in another state, so she is facing similar charges). High school and college students often make mistakes which can follow them for the rest of their lives. Don’t let your children’s bad decisions destroy their hope for the future – contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to give them the best defense for their situation.
“Pranks” can end in criminal charges.
What is Fourth Degree Arson?
A person will be charged with Fourth Degree Arson (C.R.S. 18-4-105) in Greeley, Erie, or Evans if they:
“Knowingly or recklessly start or maintain a fire or cause an explosion, on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury or places any building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage.”
To put it simply, if you start a fire or use an explosive device on your own property, or on another person’s property, and your actions put someone else or the property in danger, you will be accused of Arson. In the case of the beauty queen, she and a few of her friends drove around town throwing plastic bottles filled with toilet bowl cleaner and shrapnel at houses. Thankfully, she and her friends didn’t harm any homes or hurt anyone – if they had, the charges would have been much more serious.
Don’t Let Your Child’s Mistake Ruin Their Life
Children, teenagers, and young adults often make bad decisions. The beauty queen said she had made a “stupid mistake” during what was supposed to be a practical joke. Unfortunately, she has been charged with an Arson felony. If she is convicted, her future will be negatively affected. She may be unable to get a job or find employment. If your child has made a stupid mistake, don’t let the mistake ruin her life. Contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation to discuss her case. We have helped hundreds of good people protect their rights and freedoms in Colorado.