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RSA 634:1 · Arson

Title
LXII: CRIMINAL CODE
Chapter
634 · DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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634:1 Arson. –

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I.

A person is guilty of arson if he knowingly starts a fire or causes an explosion which unlawfully damages the property of another.

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II.

Arson is a class A felony if the property damaged is:

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(a)

An occupied structure and the actor knew it was an occupied structure; or

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(b)

An historic structure.

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III.

Arson is a class B felony if:

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(a)

The property is either that of another or the actor's property, and the fire was started or the explosion caused for the purpose of collecting insurance on such property; or

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(b)

The actor purposely starts a fire or causes an explosion on anyone's property and thereby recklessly places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury, or places an occupied structure of another in danger of damage; or

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(c)

The property damaged is real estate; or

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(d)

The pecuniary loss caused is in excess of $1,000.

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IV.

All other arson is a misdemeanor.

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V.

As used in this section:

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(a)

"Occupied structure" has the same meaning as in RSA 635:1, III, and includes structures appurtenant to occupied structures and seasonal dwellings whether vacant or occupied;

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(b)

"Property" has the same meaning as in RSA 637:2, I;

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(c)

"Property of another" has the same meaning as in RSA 637:2, IV.

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(d)

"Historic structure" means any structure listed, or determined by the department of natural and cultural resources to be eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places, or designated as historic under state or local law. Source. 1971, 518:1. 1975, 284:1, 2. 1994, 346:1, 2. 1998, 363:3, eff. Aug. 25, 1998. 2017, 156:38, eff. July 1, 2017.

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Source note

Source. 1971, 518:1. 1975, 284:1, 2. 1994, 346:1, 2. 1998, 363:3, eff. Aug. 25, 1998. 2017, 156:38, eff. July 1, 2017.

Source history

  • 1971, 518:1
  • 1975, 284:1, 2
  • 1994, 346:1, 2
  • 1998, 363:3, eff. Aug. 25, 1998
  • 2017, 156:38, eff. July 1, 2017

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1522 reference

    ual assault as defined in RSA 632-A:2 through RSA 632-A:5. (d) Interference with freedom as defined in RSA 633:1 through RSA 633:3-a. (e) Destruction of property as defined in RSA 634:1 and RSA 634:2. (f) Unauthorized entry as defined in RSA 635:1 and RSA 635:2. (g) Harassment as defined in RSA 644:4. (h) Cruelty to animals as defined in RSA 644:8. (i) Nonconsensual dissemination of private sex

  • 2026 HB1522-FN reference

    ual assault as defined in RSA 632-A:2 through RSA 632-A:5. (d) Interference with freedom as defined in RSA 633:1 through RSA 633:3-a. (e) Destruction of property as defined in RSA 634:1 and RSA 634:2. (f) Unauthorized entry as defined in RSA 635:1 and RSA 635:2. (g) Harassment as defined in RSA 644:4. (h) Cruelty to animals as defined in RSA 644:8. (i) Nonconsensual dissemination of private sex

  • 2026 HB1595 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ault under RSA 632-A; (f) Kidnapping, criminal restraint, or trafficking persons under RSA 633; (g) Class B felony stalking under RSA 633:3-a; (h) Class A felony arson under RSA 634:1; (i) Robbery under RSA 636; (j) Incest under RSA 639:2, III or endangering the welfare of a child by solicitation under RSA 639:3, III; (k) Any felonious offense involving child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A

  • 2026 HB1595-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ault under RSA 632-A; (f) Kidnapping, criminal restraint, or trafficking persons under RSA 633; (g) Class B felony stalking under RSA 633:3-a; (h) Class A felony arson under RSA 634:1; (i) Robbery under RSA 636; (j) Incest under RSA 639:2, III or endangering the welfare of a child by solicitation under RSA 639:3, III; (k) Any felonious offense involving child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A

  • 2026 HB1740 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ual assault (RSA 632-A:2 through 632-A:5); (d) Interference with freedom (RSA 633:1 through 633:3-a); (e) Interference with custody (RSA 633:4); (f) Destruction of property (RSA 634:1 and 634:2); (g) Unauthorized entry (RSA 635:1 and 635:2); (h) Harassment (RSA 644:4); (i) Cruelty to animals (RSA 644:8). II. “Contact” means any action to communicate directly or indirectly with another person,

  • 2026 HB1740-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ual assault (RSA 632-A:2 through 632-A:5); (d) Interference with freedom (RSA 633:1 through 633:3-a); (e) Interference with custody (RSA 633:4); (f) Destruction of property (RSA 634:1 and 634:2); (g) Unauthorized entry (RSA 635:1 and 635:2); (h) Harassment (RSA 644:4); (i) Cruelty to animals (RSA 644:8). II. “Contact” means any action to communicate directly or indirectly with another person,

  • 2026 HB1829 reference

    s: (a) Homicide under RSA 630. (b) First or second degree assault under RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2. (c) Aggravated felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A:2. (d) Arson under RSA 634:1. (e) Robbery as a class A felony under RSA 636:1, III[; or]. (f) Unlawful possession or sale of a firearm or other dangerous weapon under RSA 159. (g) Incidents resulting in physical harm, including simple assault

  • 2026 HB1829-FN reference

    s: (a) Homicide under RSA 630. (b) First or second degree assault under RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2. (c) Aggravated felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A:2. (d) Arson under RSA 634:1. (e) Robbery as a class A felony under RSA 636:1, III[; or]. (f) Unlawful possession or sale of a firearm or other dangerous weapon under RSA 159. (g) Incidents resulting in physical harm, including simple assault

  • 2025 HB75 reference

    SA 421-B:5-508, criminal conduct in violation of the security takeover disclosure laws, as defined in RSA 421-A:3, 421-A:7, 421-A:8, 421-A:11, and 421-A:13, robbery as defined in RSA 636:1, arson as defined in RSA 634:1, hindering apprehension or prosecution as defined in RSA 642:3, tampering with witnesses and informants as defined in RSA 641:5, aggravated felonious sexual assault as defined in RSA 632-A:2, felonious sexual

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