Arson is the intentional burning of property—such as a building, car, boat, crops, or trees—with criminal or fraudulent intent. The criminal intent or motive behind arson is often insurance fraud—such as when the owner of property intentionally burns it and then files an insurance claim without disclosing the owner intentionally started the fire.

Arson is a felony offense under most state laws, but there are often different degrees of severity, depending on factors such as whether the fire results in physical injury or death. Arson is also a crime under federal law, which makes it illegal to use fire or an explosive to damage or destroy property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

In Arkansas, arson is defined as the willful and malicious setting of a fire to destroy or damage property. It is considered a serious felony offense. The severity of the charge can vary based on factors such as whether the arson resulted in bodily injury or death, the type of property that was burned, and the value of the property. For instance, if the arson endangered human life or caused significant property damage, the penalties would be more severe. Additionally, if the arson was committed for fraudulent purposes, such as to collect insurance money, this could lead to additional fraud charges. Under federal law, arson is also a crime when it involves property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or affects such commerce. This means that if the property burned has a connection to commercial activity across state lines or international borders, federal charges could also apply.