Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated November 15, 2019
Last updated 11/14/2019
With its many national parks, campgrounds and rural areas, California is always near the top of vacation lists. However, many of these attractions also make California susceptible to dangerous wildfires, some of which are the result of a deliberate act. One of the more notorious arsonists in California was actually a chief arson investigator who had even written a novel about a firefighter arsonist. He was convicted on arson charges related to several fires he had set, some of which were started with simple incendiary devices involving cigarettes and matches.
California has a few different arson-related crimes and penalties which vary depending on one's intent and whether harm was caused to individuals or certain types of property. For basic arson to apply, a prosecutor must prove that a defendant:
For aggravated arson to apply, a defendant must act with the specific intent to cause injury or property damage and either:
Even if the crimes of arson or aggravated arson don't apply, a person can still be held criminally liable for unlawfully causing a fire if he or she recklessly sets fire to any structure, forest land or property.
The chart below contains specific references to arson laws in California.
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| Penalties and Sentencing | Arson Causing Great Bodily Injury: This is a felony punishable by up to 9 years in prison. Arson Causing Damage to Inhabited Structures or Properties: This is a felony punishable by up to 8 years in prison. Arson Causing Damage to Structures or Forrest Land: This is a felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison. Arson of Property: This is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Aggravated Arson: This is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Attempted Arson: This is punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Any person convicted of an arson crime can also face up to $50,000 in fines. |
| Defenses | Defenses to arson crimes can include:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
You can click on the links below to learn more information on related laws in California.
California has a number of laws relating to arson crimes, including attempted arson and the possession of arson-related materials. There are a number of ways that an experienced criminal defense attorney can exploit weaknesses in a government's case especially when it comes to the element of intent. Protect your rights as a criminal defendant and contact an experienced California criminal defense attorney near you today.
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