Re: Juvenile charged with Arson
(a) A person commits the offense of arson in the third degree when, by means of fire or explosive, he or she knowingly damages or knowingly causes, aids, abets, advises, encourages, hires, counsels, or procures another to damage:
(1) Any personal property of another without his or her consent or in which another has a security interest, including but not limited to a lien, without the consent of both and the value of the property is $25.00 or more;
(2) Any personal property when such is insured against loss or damage by fire or explosive and the loss or damage is accomplished without the consent of both the insurer and insured and the value of the property is $25.00 or more; or
(3) Any personal property with the intent to defeat, prejudice, or defraud the rights of a spouse or co-owner and the value of the property is $25.00 or more.
(b) A person also commits the offense of arson in the third degree when, in the commission of a felony, by means of fire or explosive, he or she knowingly damages or knowingly causes, aids, abets, advises, encourages, hires, counsels, or procures another to damage anything included or described in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c) A person convicted of the offense of arson in the third degree shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or both."
Meh, damage was basically some hoses and stuff. Even the judge doubted that I should indicted, based on the premise of the charges. Yes I did lie about thinking that sticking the chopstick in the sink would explode.. But that's another charge:D Negligible damage, no "starter fluid"..
So can I make that personal statement thing or just limited to what their or my lawyer, judge asks?
Re: Juvenile charged with Arson
If the judge permits you to make a personal statement, you're more than free to stick your foot into your mouth as deeply as you would like or (figuratively speaking) shoot a hole right through it. But you have a lawyer, so it makes sense to follow your lawyer's advice.