Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2023 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
A. Negligent arson is the damaging of any building, as defined by R.S. 33:4771, of another by the setting of fire or causing an explosion, without consent of the owner or custodian of the building, when the offender's criminal negligence causes the fire or the explosion.
B. If the offender knows or should have known that he has no possessory right to the building or other interest therein, or has not previously established a right of entry into or onto the building, it may be inferred that the setting of the fire or the causing of the explosion was without consent of the owner or custodian of the building.
C. Whoever commits the crime of negligent arson where it is not foreseeable that human life might be endangered shall be subject to the following:
(1) On a first conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. In addition, the offender shall be ordered to pay restitution for damages sustained.
(2) On a second and subsequent conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars and imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years. In addition, the offender shall be ordered to pay restitution for damages sustained.
D. Whoever commits the crime of negligent arson where it is foreseeable that human life might be endangered shall be fined not more than three thousand dollars and imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than three years. In addition, the offender shall be ordered to pay restitution for damages sustained.
E. Whoever commits the crime of negligent arson resulting in death or serious bodily injury to a human being shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years. In addition, the offender shall be ordered to pay restitution for damages sustained.
F. Any person convicted of a violation of this Section shall register with the state fire marshal in accordance with R.S. 15:562.3.
G. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to commonly accepted practices of prescribed burning of agricultural and forestry land including prescribed burning done in accordance with R.S. 3:17.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 14, § 52.2. Negligent arson - last updated January 01, 2023 | https://codes.findlaw.com/la/revised-statutes/la-rev-stat-tit-14-sect-52-2/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)