Arson (or 'fire-raising', as it is known in Scotland) is the crime of intentionally or maliciously lighting structures, wildland areas, cars or other property on fire. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires. Arson often involves fires deliberately set to the property of another or to one's own property as to collect insurance compensation.
Arson (or fire-raising, as it is known in Scotland) ...
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Arson (or 'fire-raising', as it is known in Scotland) is the crime of intentionally or maliciously lighting structures, wildland areas, cars or other property on fire. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires. Arson often involves fires deliberately set to the property of another or to one's own property as to collect insurance compensation.
Arson (or fire-raising, as it is known in Scotland) is defined as "the malicious burning of the dwelling of another" in common law. It has four elements.
The elements are:
Furthermore, "[t]he burning of one's own dwelling to collect insurance did not constitute common law arson. It was generally assumed in early England that one had the legal right to destroy his own property in any manner he chose."
In the U.S., the common law elements of arson are often varied in different jurisdictions. For example, the element of "dwelling" is no longer required in most states, and arson occurs by the...
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