2025 Georgia Codes – Page 69

(a) A person commits the offense of arson in the first degree when, by means of fire or explosive, he or she
knowingly damages or knowingly causes, aids, abets, advises, encourages, hires, counsels, or procures
another to damage:
(1) Any dwelling house of another without his or her consent or in which another has a security interest,
including but not limited to a mortgage, a lien, or a conveyance to secure debt, without the consent of both,
whether it is occupied, unoccupied, or vacant;
(2) Any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, or other structure of another without his or her consent
or in which another has a security interest, including but not limited to a mortgage, a lien, or a conveyance
to secure debt, without the consent of both, if such structure is designed for use as a dwelling, whether it is
occupied, unoccupied, or vacant;
(3) Any dwelling house, building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure whether it is
occupied, unoccupied, or vacant and when such is insured against loss or damage by fire or explosive and
such loss or damage is accomplished without the consent of both the insurer and the insured;
(4) Any dwelling house, building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure whether it is
occupied, unoccupied, or vacant with the intent to defeat, prejudice, or defraud the rights of a spouse or co-
owner; or
(5) Any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, or other structure under such circumstances that it
is reasonably foreseeable that human life might be endangered.
(b) A person also commits the offense of arson in the first degree when, in the commission of a felony, by
means of fire or explosive, he or she knowingly damages or knowingly causes, aids, abets, advises, encour-
ages, hires, counsels, or procures another to damage anything included or described in subsection (a) of this
Code section.
(c) A person convicted of the offense of arson in the first degree shall be punished by a fine of not more than
$50,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years, or both.

Added 2024
(a) A person commits the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle when, by means of fire or explo-
sive, he or she knowingly damages or knowingly causes, aids, abets, advises, encourages, hires, counsels,
or procures another to damage a law enforcement vehicle.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle shall be punished by a fine of
not more than $100,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years, or
both.