Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

Part 1. Criminal Mischief and Arson

Negligent Arson

45-6-102. Negligent arson. (1) A person commits the offense of negligent arson if the person purposely or knowingly starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on the person's own property or property of another, and thereby negligently:

(a) places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, including a firefighter responding to or at the scene of a fire or explosion; or

(b) places property of another in danger of damage or destruction.

(2) A person convicted of the offense of negligent arson shall be fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the offender places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, the offender shall be fined not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

History: En. 94-6-103 by Sec. 1, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 94-6-103; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 198, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 590, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1662, Ch. 56, L. 2009.