Arson is the act of deliberately setting fire to property. It is a serious crime in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
The laws regarding in Oklahoma are classified according to the severity of the crime, from first degree to fourth degree, in order of decreasing severity.
Arson in Oklahoma is a felony crime for all types of arson charges. In addition, for all degrees of arson, if your actions endangered or caused injury to any person, you may also have additional fines or jail time imposed. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1405
First-Degree Arson in Oklahoma
A person who sets fire to a structure that is occupied by any person or causes that structure to be burned by use of any accelerant, or other device or who aids another is doing so, is guilty of first-degree arson in Oklahoma.
The crime carries a fine not to exceed $25,000, a prison sentence of not more than 35 years, or both.
Additionally, if the same fire occurs in an occupied structure or building as a result of the manufacturing of illegal drugs in violation of Oklahoma law, the crime is also considered to be arson in the first degree. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1401
Second-Degree Arson in Oklahoma
The difference between arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree lies in a determination of whether the building occupied or not. If the building is uninhabited or unoccupied, the crime is charged as arson in the second degree.
Arson in the second degree is still considered a felony crime. It is punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, or a prison term of up to 25 years, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1402
Third-Degree Arson in Oklahoma
If a person maliciously causes the burning of property other than a structure such as automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, boats, standing farm crops, pastureland, or forestland worth more than $50, the charge is arson in the third degree.
Arson in the third degree is also charged if the property is insured and the fire was set with the intention of defrauding the insurer.
This type of arson in Oklahoma is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, or a prison term of up to 15 years, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1403
Fourth-Degree Arson in Oklahoma
If the fire is set with the intention of causing damage to any other type of property not covered in the other arson statutes, the crime is charged as arson in the fourth degree.
Likewise, the placing of any flammable, explosive, or combustible material or substance or any device in any building or property with the intent to set it on fire later is considered arson in the fourth degree.
Arson in the fourth degree carries a fine of up to $5,000 and a prison term of up to 10 years. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1404
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are being investigated or have been charged with arson in Oklahoma, it is important to contact an experienced Muskogee criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Call Wirth Law Office – Muskogee today at 918-913-0725 or toll free at 1-888-Wirth-Law (1-888-947-8452).
All calls are confidential, and your
