Arson

Arson Charges in Georgia

What is Arson?

Arson is a criminal offense for willfully and deliberately setting afire physical property. A criminal charge of arson could be made when a person sets fire to a home, buildings, vehicle, boat, undeveloped land, or similar physical property.

Arson as a Federal Crime

Arson committed on any federal property will be prosecuted as a federal crime. Federal property applies to any physical property owned by the federal government, including but not limited to land, buildings, vehicles, ships, boats, and certain infrastructure.

Georgia Laws on Arson - O.C.G.A. § 16-7-60

• (a) A person commits the offense of arson in the first 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 dwelling house of another without his or her consent or in which another has a security interest, including but not limited to a mortgage, a lien, or a conveyance to secure debt, without the consent of both, whether it is occupied, unoccupied, or vacant;
• (2) Any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, or other structure of another without his or her consent or in which another has a security interest, including but not limited to a mortgage, a lien, or a conveyance to secure debt, without the consent of both, if such structure is designed for use as a dwelling, whether it is occupied, unoccupied, or vacant;
• (3) Any dwelling house, building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure whether it is occupied, unoccupied, or vacant and when such is insured against loss or damage by fire or explosive and such loss or damage is accomplished without the consent of both the insurer and the insured;
• (4) Any dwelling house, building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure whether it is occupied, unoccupied, or vacant with the intent to defeat, prejudice, or defraud the rights of a spouse or co-owner; or
• (5) Any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure under such circumstances that it is reasonably foreseeable that human life might be endangered.
• (b) A person also commits the offense of arson in the first 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 first degree shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years, or both.

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If you are under investigation, or have been arrested, for arson you need to contact our defense lawyers. We invite you to call 770-956-1400 to make an appointment to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you.