The Utah Criminal Code has a section that specifically covers Offenses Against Property in Utah such as: arson, aggravated arson, reckless burning and abandoned fire, just to name a few.

Photo: Ben Watts

Arson

A person is guilty of arson if that individual illegally and purposefully damages-by use of fire or explosives-another person’s property or any property with a plan to defraud an insurance company. The possible charges can be anywhere from a second-degree felony to a class B misdemeanor, particularly depending on the value of damage caused and whether a person was injured.

Aggravated Arson

This type of arson is caused when a person intentionally and unlawfully (by fire or explosives) damages a habitable structure or any structure or vehicle when a person is inside it, and the person is not a party to the arson.

Reckless Burning

Another of the many offenses against property includes reckless burning. Reckless burning can involve an infraction up to a class A misdemeanor:

• Recklessly starting a fire or causing an explosion which endangers human life
• Starting a fire, whether recklessly or not, and not doing anything to attempt to extinguish the fire or giving prompt notice to the appropriate authorities
• Building or maintaining a fire without trying to keep the fire from spreading
• Damaging another person’s property through reckless use of fire or an explosion

Abandoned Fire

If you leave a fire without putting it out or without intention of returning to the fire, it will usually be a class C to a class A misdemeanor. If the fire involved is a wildland fire, the person who started the blaze will also be liable for suppression costs.

If you are charged with any crime, whether it is included in this list or not, please don’t hesitate to contact a Utah criminal defense attorney right away. You need the services a competent, experienced criminal defense attorney can provide.