Arson in the first degree
This law is about setting fire to or blowing up buildings. A person breaks this law if they start a fire or explosion that damages a building while someone is nearby, putting that person in danger of getting seriously hurt or killed. A person also breaks this law if they start a fire or explosion to try to make methamphetamine. This is usually a serious class B felony, but if someone gets seriously hurt or dies because of the fire or explosion, it becomes an even more serious class A felony.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
569.040. in the first degree — . — 1. A person commits the of arson in the first degree if he or she:
(1) a building or , and when any person is then present or in near proximity , by starting a fire or causing an explosion and thereby places such person in danger of death or ; or
(2) By starting a fire or explosion, damages a building or inhabitable structure in an attempt to produce methamphetamine.
2. The offense of arson in the first degree is a unless a person has suffered serious physical injury or has died as a result of the fire or explosion set by the person or as a result of a fire or explosion started in an attempt by the person to produce methamphetamine, in which case arson in the first degree is a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1987 H.B. 57, A.L. 2005 H.B. 353, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.