{"id":371488,"date":"2017-08-19T15:02:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-19T20:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-arson-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-05-27T16:23:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T21:23:38","slug":"arizona-arson-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-arson-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Arson Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Arson Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Arson in Arizona<\/span> is the crime of knowingly and unlawfully damaging a structure or property by causing a fire or explosion. Under Arizona<\/span> law<\/span>, most arson offenses are classified as felonies with severe penalties<\/span>, including minimum prison terms<\/span> ranging from 18 months to five years, depending on factors like the type of property and whether people were inside.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Arson is a serious criminal offense that carries severe penalties<\/span> across the United States. Arizona<\/span> law<\/span> treats\u00a0arson as<\/a>\u00a0a felony and imposes severe penalties<\/span>. When someone knowingly and deliberately causes a fire (or explosion) and damages a structure, property, or section of land, they are guilty of this crime.<\/p>\n

Under Arizona<\/span> criminal law<\/span>, a person is guilty of arson if they intentionally cause an explosion or start a fire that damages another person’s property<\/span> or structure. The same is true if they deliberately\u00a0set fire<\/span>\u00a0to collect insurance proceeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll discuss Arizona<\/span> arson<\/span> laws<\/span>, including penalties and defenses. If you’re facing arson charges<\/span>, consider contacting a criminal defense lawyer<\/span><\/a> as soon as possible. Things move quickly after an arrest, and penalties are severe, so getting an expert to handle the case is essential.<\/p>\n

How Arizona<\/span> Defines Arson<\/h2>\n

The Arizona<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span><\/a> define arson as knowingly and unlawfully damaging a structure or property by knowingly causing a fire or explosion. Different charges may apply depending on factors such as the type of structure and whether people were inside at the time of the fire.<\/p>\n

Types of <\/span>Arson<\/span> Charges<\/span> in Arizona<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are various types of <\/span>arson<\/span> charges<\/span> in Arizona<\/span>, and most are felonies. Any arson conviction<\/span> will result in stiff penalties, including jail time<\/span> or years spent in prison. The judge may also order you to pay hefty fines if the court finds you guilty.<\/p>\n

Some of the most common types of arson<\/span> include:<\/p>\n