{"id":372698,"date":"2018-01-17T13:21:34","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T18:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-arson-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-01-17T13:25:23","modified_gmt":"2018-01-17T18:25:23","slug":"georgia-arson-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-arson-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Arson Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia Arson Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

While a fire can start for several reasons, if someone intentionally<\/a> starts a fire, he or she could end up facing arson charges. Although arson<\/a> laws vary from state to state, many states, such as Georgia, treat arson as a serious crime.<\/p>\n

Georgia addresses arson in three separate statutes: arson in the first degree, second degree, and third degree. As can be expected, first degree arson carries the harshest penalties, while third degree arson has the lightest. It’s important to note, however, that arson in any degree will result in at least one year of imprisonment. All three statutes consider it arson if a person, by means of fire or explosives, knowingly damages or encourages another to damage property while committing a felony.<\/p>\n

Georgia Arson Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

Below you will find key provisions of arson laws in Georgia.<\/p>\n\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\n

Georgia Code Title 16. Crimes and Offenses Section 16-7-60, et seq.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Prohibited Behavior and Charges<\/b><\/td>\n

First degree arson<\/i> (Section 16-7-60<\/a>): By means of fire or explosives, knowingly damage or advise\/encourage another to damage:<\/p>\n

Penalties<\/b><\/td>\n

First degree arson<\/i>: prison term of no less than one year and no more than 20 years and\/or $50,000.<\/p>\n

Second degree arson<\/i>: prison term of no less than one year and no more than 10 years and\/or a fine not exceeding $25,000.<\/p>\n

Third degree arson<\/i>: prison term of no less than one year and no more than 5 years and\/or a fine not exceeding $10,000.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Defense (s)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Consent is generally a defense to arson; however, it’s not a defense when the charges stem from:<\/p>\n