Michigan Laws 750.79 – Using inflammable, combustible, or explosive material, liquid, or substance near building or personal property with intent to commit arson of any degree; aiding or abetting; total value of proper
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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Attorney's Note
Under the Michigan Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| C | up to 15 years |
Terms Used In Michigan Laws 750.79
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- felony: when used in this act, shall be construed to mean an offense for which the offender, on conviction may be punished by death, or by imprisonment in state prison. See Michigan Laws 750.7
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals. See Michigan Laws 8.3l
- Personal property: All property that is not real property.
- Presentence report: A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convicted of an offense, summarizing for the court the background information needed to determine the appropriate sentence. Source: U.S. Courts
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) A person who uses, arranges, places, devises, or distributes an inflammable, combustible, or explosive material, liquid, or substance or any device in or near a building, structure, other real property, or personal property with the intent to commit arson in any degree or who aids, counsels, induces, persuades, or procures another to do so is guilty of a crime as follows:
(a) If the property has a combined value of less than $200.00, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or 3 times the combined value of the property damaged or destroyed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
(b) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or 3 times the combined value of the property damaged or destroyed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The property has a combined value of $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (a) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.
(c) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the combined value of the property damaged or destroyed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The property has a combined value of $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (b)(i) and has 1 or more prior convictions for violating or attempting to violate this section. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation of subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
(iii) Except as provided in subdivisions (d) and (e), the property is a building, structure, or real property. This subparagraph applies regardless of whether the person owns the building, structure, or other real property.
(d) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or 3 times the combined value of the property damaged or destroyed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The property has a combined value of $20,000.00 or more.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (c)(i) and has 2 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subparagraph, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for committing or attempting to commit an offense for a violation or attempted violation of subdivision (a) or (b)(ii).
(iii) The property has a value of more than $2,000.00 and is insured against loss by fire or explosion and the person intended to defraud the insurer.
(iv) Except as provided in subdivisions (c)(iii) and (e) and subparagraphs (v) and (vi), the property is a building, structure, or other real property, and the fire or explosion results in injury to any individual. This subparagraph applies regardless of whether the person owns the building, structure, or other real property.
(v) Except as provided in subdivisions (c)(iii) and (e) and subparagraph (vi), the property is a building, structure, or other real property and insured against loss from fire or explosion, and the person intended to defraud the insurer. This subparagraph applies regardless of whether the person owns the building, structure, or other real property.
(vi) The property is a dwelling. This subparagraph applies regardless of whether the person owns the dwelling.
(e) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00 or 3 times the combined value of the property intended to be burned or destroyed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:
(i) The property is a dwelling and is insured against loss by fire or explosion and the person intended to defraud the insurer. This subparagraph applies regardless of whether the person owns the property.
(ii) The property is a dwelling and the fire or explosion results in physical injury to any individual.
(2) The combined value of property intended to be burned in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total value of property damaged or destroyed.
(3) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions. The existence of the defendant’s prior conviction or convictions shall be determined by the court, without a jury, at sentencing or at a separate hearing for that purpose before sentencing. The existence of a prior conviction may be established by any evidence relevant for that purpose, including, but not limited to, 1 or more of the following:
(a) The total value of property damaged or destroyed.
(b) A transcript of a prior trial, plea-taking, or sentencing.
(c) Information contained in a presentence report.
(d) The defendant’s statement.
(4) If the sentence for a conviction under this section is enhanced by 1 or more prior convictions, those prior convictions shall not be used to further enhance the sentence for the conviction under section 10, 11, or 12 of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.10, 769.11, and 769.12.