💕
Criminal Law • Crimes Against Property
CRIMLAW#050
Legal Definition
Arson is the malicious burning of another's dwelling.
Plain English Explanation
Arson happens when someone purposefully burns someone's house. Note that the defendant doesn't need to burn down the house. Any amount of burning beyond basic scorching is sufficient to be arson. It's sort of like when you're trying to light a campfire and you hold the flame on the log, which scorches the log, but doesn't quite cause the log to catch fire... that isn't enough to be arson. But the second the log catches fire and burns by itself, arson has been achieved.
Related Concepts
Can a defendant commit larceny against abandoned property?
What are false pretenses?
What are the crimes against property?
What is a continuing trespass?
What is burglary?
What is embezzlement?
What is extortion and blackmail?
What is forgery?
What is house burning?
What is larceny?
What is larceny by trick?
What is malicious mischief?
What is receipt of stolen property?
What is robbery?
