Arson: How Bad Could It Get In Bergen County?

Arson is one of the oldest crimes in human history. One of the earliest examples occurred in the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, when a vagrant named Herostratus burned down the Temple of Artemis – ending its status as one of the seven wonders of the world. Herostratus was tortured to death after being arrested, and although arson penalties in Bergen County are less severe, they are still quite serious. How bad could these consequences get if you have been accused of arson?

Man Faces Arson Charges for Setting Fire in Bergen County Hotel Room 

In January of 2025, various sources reported that a man had been arrested for setting a fire in a Bergen County hotel room. He was also accused of assaulting hotel staff. After an investigation, police determined that the man had set a fire in his room after a dispute with hotel staff. This caused the sprinkler system to activate, and the resulting water damaged the entire property.

Police officers also claimed that while trying to escape, the defendant assaulted one of the hotel employees. Fortunately, this individual was not seriously injured, and the defendant was taken into custody. The SWAT team arrived shortly after the fire broke out and evacuated everyone from the premises. At around the same time, firefighters extinguished the blaze.

The defendant faced a slew of charges, including aggravated arson, criminal mischief, simple assault, and others. Interestingly he was charged with both aggravated arson and arson.

What Is Aggravated Arson in New Jersey? 

Aggravated arson is a second-degree crime. If prosecutors charge you with this offense, they must prove that the fire you started put other people in danger. You may also face this charge if your alleged fire completely destroyed a building. In addition, it is possible to face aggravated arson charges for damaging a forest with an intentional fire. Finally, you could face aggravated arson charges for setting fires to collect insurance money or to change zoning issues.

If you are convicted of this offense, you could face up to 10 years in prison. You might also face a fine of up to $150,000. A “simple” arson offense, on the other hand, does not require intent. You could face this offense for causing a fire without intending to cause harm to anyone.

This explains why the authorities charged this defendant with both offenses. Even if the defendant successfully establishes that he never intended to harm anyone with his hotel room fire, he could still be convicted of simple arson.

Can a Criminal Defense Attorney in Bergen County Help Me? 

If you have been accused of arson, you should take your situation very seriously. An obvious first step is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bergen County – such as Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants – and we may be able to guide you toward a positive outcome. Schedule a consultation with us today to get started with a defense strategy.

Sources: 

amusingplanet.com/2019/03/the-arsonist-who-set-fire-to-ancient.html

northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/east-rutherford/2025/01/09/east-rutherford-nj-hotel-guest-fire-police-response/77582802007/