Criminal Defense Lawyers

NY Penal Law § 150.15: Arson in the Second Degree

Arson is the criminal offense by which one intentionally damages a structure by the use of fire or explosives. For the purposes of this statute, the term “structure” can encompass 

1. a residential building, 
2. A commercial building, 
3. a vehicle, or 
4. a watercraft that is used as overnight lodging or that is used to house a business. 

There are five different degrees of arson offenses in the New York criminal code.  The crime of arson in the second degree is the second most serious of the five. Pursuant to New York Penal Law § 150.15, you could be charged and  prosecuted for arson in the second degree if:

1. You intentionally damage or destroy a structure by setting it on fire or by causing an explosion,
2. The building or vehicle you burned or blew up was occupied at the time that you caused the fire or explosion, and
3. You had reason to believe that the building was occupied at the time of the occurrence.

For Example

In the matter of the People v. Hendricksen, 2011 NY Slip Op 30880 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., 2011), the defendant, Mr. Pierre Hendricksen, entered a basement apartment where his ex-wife lived.  Knowing that people were somewhere inside the building, he set the apartment on fire by igniting a mattress with matches. The building contained a number of other apartments that were also occupied on the day that Mr. Hendricksen entered the building. Hendricksen was arrested and subsequently convicted of the crime of arson in the second degree. The second degree arson charge was valid on the basis of the fact that other people were in the building at the time that the defendant set the fire and also the fact that the defendant had reason to be aware that other people were in the building.

Offenses that are Related

Arson in the fifth degree: New York Penal Law § 150.01

Arson in the fourth degree: New York Penal Law § 150.05

Arson in the third degree: New York Penal Law § 150.10

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Arson in the first degree: New York Penal Law § 150.20

Possible Defenses

One key defense against a charge of arson is the second degree would entail convincing the court that the defendant did not have reason to believe that the building was occupied by anyone at the time the fire was set.

In addition, another plausible defense is to put forth that even if the defendant should have known that there was a possibility that someone might be in the building at the time, there was, it turned out, no one in the building when the fire or explosion took place

The Sentence

The crime of arson in the second degree is categorized as a class B felony. You could be sent to prison for as long as 25 years. Moreover, it is also classified as a violent felony offense. What this means to you is that even if you don’t have any prior felony convictions, if you are convicted of arson in the second degree, you will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years behind bars.