{"id":374208,"date":"2018-08-30T10:38:42","date_gmt":"2018-08-30T15:38:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-arson-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-08-30T15:02:12","modified_gmt":"2018-08-30T20:02:12","slug":"minnesota-arson-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-arson-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Arson Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota 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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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

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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

After a massive fire causes destruction or injury, one of the first issues to resolve is its origin. Sometimes fires are the result of a misfortunate accident, but it’s considered arson<\/a> when a fire is deliberately set and causes damage to property.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Arson in Minnesota<\/h2>\r\n

Minnesota divides arson crimes into five degrees: arson in the fifth degree is the least serious of the offenses and first-degree arson is the most severe charge. Additionally, Minnesota recognizes arson of wildlife as a separate offense.<\/p>\r\n

Minnesota Arson Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

The best way to understand what a statute truly conveys is by working with an attorney. Before you reach that step, you can get a handle on Minnesota’s arson laws by referring to the chart below, which is a plain English guide to understanding the law, including links to the relevant statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Minnesota Statutes:<\/p>\r\n

Fifth Degree; Fourth Degree; Third Degree<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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Fifth degree arson:<\/i><\/b> A person that intentionally burns or causes to be burned any real or personal property is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days and\/or fines up to $1,000.<\/p>\r\n

Fourth degree arson:<\/i><\/b> A person commits a gross misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and\/or fines up to $3,000 if:<\/p>\r\n

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  • They set fire to or burn or cause to be burned the personal property in a multiple unit residential building or public housing; and<\/li>\r\n
  • Arson in the first, second, or third degree wasn’t committed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Third degree arson:<\/i><\/b> A person who intentionally destroys or damages any real or personal property may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 5 years and\/or fines up to $10,000 if the property involved had a value of more than $300, but less than $1,000.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Second Degree; First Degree<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Second degree arson:<\/i><\/b> A person commits this offense, punishable by up to 10 years and\/or fines up to $20,000 if they:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Intentionally destroy or damage any building that isn’t covered in first degree arson, regardless of value; or<\/li>\r\n
  • Any other real or personal property valued at more than $1,000 (whether it’s the individual’s property or another’s).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    First degree arson:<\/i><\/b> A person commits first degree arson if they unlawfully\/intentionally destroy or damage one of the following:<\/p>\r\n

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    • Dwellings (regardless of the presence of the inhabitants) or any building appurtenant to or connected with the dwelling;<\/li>\r\n
    • Other buildings besides dwellings if the person knows or should know that there is a person inside at the time; or<\/li>\r\n
    • Other buildings besides dwellings if a flammable material is used to start or accelerate the fire.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      All first degree arson crimes are punishable by up to 20 years incarceration and\/or fines up to $20,000. The fine can increase to $35,000 if the person committing arson knew or should have known that someone was inside the building at the time of the arson.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Offenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n