45-6-102. Negligent arson. (1) A person commits the offense of negligent arson if the person purposely or knowingly starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on the person’s own property or property of another, and thereby negligently:

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Terms Used In Montana Code 45-6-102

  • Knowingly: means only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. See Montana Code 1-1-204
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Montana Code 1-1-205
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(a)places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, including a firefighter responding to or at the scene of a fire or explosion; or

(b)places property of another in danger of damage or destruction.

(2)A person convicted of the offense of negligent arson shall be fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the offender places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, the offender shall be fined not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years, or both.