HOUSE AREST FOR $1.3 MILLION ARSON

One factor that the Courts examine on sentencing is the crimes degree of planning and sophistication. More sophisticated schemes are more likely to attract custody. Furthermore, the more money that has been lost and not repaid, the more likely that a lengthy jail term will be imposed. In this case, the accused set fire to his employers building, causing $1.3 million dollars in damage. Crimes against ones employer are considered to be breaches of trust and this is a statutorily codified aggravating principle on sentence. With both an arson and a theft committed against his employer, it came as no surprise that the Crown sought a lengthy penitentiary sentence of 4 years for this first time youthful offender. Indeed, people could easily have been injured. Further aggravating was that fact that the client had set out to create home-made napalm. The client spread this substance over the floors of his workplace, and the fire quickly spread to the rest of the shopping complex, coming within striking distance of the nearby gas tanks. Upon arrest, the client gave a full confession. Unfortunately, with damages of close to $1.3 million, the accused was unable to pay even a cent worth of restitution. Options were limited. Despite the many aggravating facts, the Judge agreed with Mr. Lewandowskis submissions and sentenced the accused to a period of house arrest.