Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Mexico

Re: Arson

A. Arson consists of a person maliciously or willfully starting a fire or causing an explosion with the purpose of destroying or damaging:

(1) a building, occupied structure or property of another person;

(2) a bridge, utility line, fence or sign; or

(3) any property, whether the person's own property or the property of another person, to collect insurance for the loss.

B. Whoever commits arson when the damage is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or less is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

C. Whoever commits arson when the damage is over two hundred fifty dollars ($250) but not more than five hundred dollars ($500) is guilty of a misdemeanor.

D. Whoever commits arson when the damage is over five hundred dollars ($500) but not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

E. Whoever commits arson when the damage is over two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) but not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a third degree felony.

F. Whoever commits arson when the damage is over twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a second degree felony.