Arson[1] is the crime of intentionally and maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas.[2] Arson usually describes fires deliberately set to the property of another or to one's own property as to collect insurance compensation.[4]
A charge of Arson occurs when someone intentionally sets a fire for the purpose of burning property. The fire must have been intentional or, at least, the result of a substantial disregard of an obvious risk. In certain situations a fire that looks intentional though may have occurred as a result of an accident, carelessness or the fault of another may lead to charges under the Criminal Code. A charge of arson is a serious one and can lead to severe penalties including jail time and substantial fines. The law also contains additional provisions related for arson that is committed with disregard for human life, damage to property, fraud, and negligence.
What is arson with disregard for human life?
Under Section 433., every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property, whether or not that person owns the property, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life where (a) the person knows that or is reckless with respect to whether the property is inhabited or occupied; or (b) the fire or explosion causes bodily harm to another person.
What is arson with damage to property?
Under Section 434., every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property that is not wholly owned by that person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
What is arson with damage to your own property?
Under Section 434.1, every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property that is owned, in whole or in part, by that person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, where the fire or...