{"id":374441,"date":"2018-10-24T10:35:49","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T15:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-arson-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:41:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:41:02","slug":"missouri-arson-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-arson-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Arson Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri 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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Arson in Missouri<\/span> is the crime of intentionally or knowingly starting a fire or causing an explosion that damages a building or inhabitable structure<\/span>. Missouri<\/span> recognizes three degrees of arson<\/span> based on whether people were present and who owned the property, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor<\/span> charges to Class A<\/span> felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The state also has lesser charges for burning property that isn’t a building or structure.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Much like kidnapping and murder, arson is a serious crime. Regardless of where you live, your state’s arson laws<\/span><\/a> carry severe penalties, including prison time and hefty fines. The Missouri<\/span> arson<\/span> laws<\/span> are no exception.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll explain how the state of Missouri<\/span> defines the crime of arson. We will also discuss the penalties and defenses for this property crime<\/span>. If you’re currently facing charges for the offense of arson<\/span>, contact a local criminal defense<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a> to discuss your case. They can help identify potential defenses and protect your rights.<\/p>\n

How Does Missouri<\/span> Law<\/span> Define Arson?<\/h2>\n

Missouri<\/span> law<\/span> defines arson as intentionally or knowingly setting a fire or causing an explosion that causes damage to a building or other inhabitable structure<\/span>. There are three degrees of arson<\/span>, each one turning on who owns the property and whether there were people in the building at the time of the fire or explosion.<\/p>\n

As you might imagine, the use of fire<\/span> is key to this offense. To be guilty of arson<\/a>, the defendant must cause damage using fire or explosives. This includes damaging electrical wires to cause an electrical fire and setting a fire near a specific building with the awareness and intent that the fire will spread to the intended property or structure.<\/p>\n

Degrees of Arson<\/span> in Missouri<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the Missouri<\/span> Revised Statutes<\/span><\/a>, there are three degrees of arson<\/span>. Each one has distinct definitions and carries different penalties.<\/p>\n

First-degree<\/span> arson<\/span><\/a> is defined as either:<\/p>\n