What sentence can you get for arson

The other relates to the total effective sentence and describes sentences for the offence at a case level the principal sentence is described above. The total effective sentence in a case with a single charge is the principal sentence. The total effective sentence in a case with multiple charges is the sentence that results from the court ordering the individual sentences for each charge to be served concurrently at the same time or wholly or partially cumulatively one after the other.

Where a case involves multiple charges, the total effective sentence imposed on a person is sometimes longer than the principal sentence. Principal sentences for arson must be considered in this broader context. The following sections analyse the use of imprisonment for the offence of arson from —14 to — A total of 92 people received a principal sentence of imprisonment for arson.

Of these, 81 people received a non-aggregate term of imprisonment and 11 people received an aggregate term. There were 29 people who received a community correction order in addition to their term of imprisonment.

Figure 3 shows the length of imprisonment for the people who received a non-aggregate term. Figure 3: The number of people sentenced to imprisonment for arson, by length of imprisonment term, —14 to — As shown in Figure 4, the average mean length of imprisonment imposed on people sentenced for arson ranged from 1 year and 8 months in —16 to 2 years and 7 months in — The average length of imprisonment for the principal offence of arson remained relatively consistent over the five-year period, aside from —15 and — However, the number of people who received a non-aggregate sentence of imprisonment for arson almost doubled over the five years, increasing from 12 people in —14 to 23 people in — Figure 4: The average mean length of imprisonment imposed on people sentenced for arson, —14 to — Sometimes people prosecuted for arson face multiple charges, which are finalised at the same hearing.

This section looks at the range of offences that offenders were sentenced for alongside the principal offence of arson. The section includes data on all people sentenced for a principal offence of arson, not just those who received imprisonment. Figure 5 shows the number of people sentenced for the principal offence of arson by the total number of sentenced offences per person. The number of sentenced offences per person ranged from 1 to 39, while the median was 3 offences.

The average number of offences per person was 4. Figure 5: The number of people sentenced for the principal offence of arson, by the number of sentenced offences per person, —14 to — Table 2 shows the 10 most common offences, by number and percentage, for people sentenced for arson. The last column sets out the average number of offences sentenced per person. For example, 21 of the total people On average, they were sentenced for 2. Table 2: The number and percentage of people sentenced for the principal offence of arson, by the most common offences that were sentenced and the average number of those offences that were sentenced, —14 to — Figure 6 shows the number of people sentenced to imprisonment for arson by length of total effective imprisonment term.

The total effective imprisonment terms ranged from 11 days combined with a community correction order to 14 years and 6 months, while the median total effective imprisonment term was 3 years meaning that half of the total effective imprisonment terms were below 3 years and half were above. Figure 6: The number of people sentenced to imprisonment for arson, by length of total effective imprisonment term, —14 to — If a person is sentenced to a term of immediate imprisonment of less than 1 year, the court cannot impose a non-parole period.

For terms between 1 year and less than 2 years, the court has the discretion to fix a non-parole period. For terms of imprisonment of 2 years or more, the court must impose a non-parole period in most circumstances.

If the court fixes a non-parole period, the person must serve that period before becoming eligible for parole. If the court does not set a non-parole period, the person must serve the entirety of their imprisonment term in custody. Of the 92 people who were sentenced to imprisonment for arson, 74 were eligible to have a non-parole period fixed. Non-parole periods ranged from 4 months to 12 years and 3 months, while the median non-parole period was 2 years and 2 months meaning that half of the non-parole periods were below 2 years and 2 months and half were above.

The most common non-parole period imposed was 2 to less than 3 years 31 people ; however, the most common outcome was that no non-parole period was imposed 36 people. Figure 7: The number of people sentenced to imprisonment for arson, by length of non-parole period, —14 to — Figure 8 compares the average length of total effective sentences of imprisonment with the average length of non-parole periods. From —14 to —18, the average length of total effective sentences for all people ranged from 2 years and 2 months in —16 to 4 years in — This recklessness is not to be confused with setting the fire recklessly.

The offence is that you are reckless as to whether life is endangered. Examples would be setting fire to a flat in a communal block or on an aircraft. This aggravated offence will only be dealt with in the crown court and also carries life imprisonment. Minor cases can be dealt with by a non-custodial sentence, but the Court of Appeal has said that immediate custody is the most appropriate sentence absent exceptional circumstances. The court went on to refer to mental health issues possibly being such a circumstance.

Again, this is not an intent to set the fire but an intent to endanger life in doing so. The man can be convicted of arson for burning the second building even though he didn't directly ignite it. Burning you own property. In many states, burning property that you own in order to collect on an insurance policy constitutes arson.

Arson laws and penalties vary by jurisdiction. In some states, arson can be either a misdemeanor or a felony , while in others it's always a felony. Many states divide arson into degrees of severity, depending on such factors as:. Typically, arson statutes provide stiffer penalties if a structure is occupied at the time of the fire or if the fire otherwise has the potential to harm people.

If there are victims, the person who started the fire could face additional criminal charges, including manslaughter or murder. In some states, arson that leaves only minimal property damage can result in a misdemeanor conviction.

Utah Code Ann. Arson statutes can be complicated and vary significantly from state to state. For more information on arson crimes, or to find out about procedures and potential penalties in your area, consult an experienced criminal defense attorney. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

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Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Arson Charges and Penalties. Learn about arson crimes and some of the possible penalties. What Is Arson? Arson Specifics Intent. Penalties for Arson Arson laws and penalties vary by jurisdiction.