Nebraska Revised Statute 28-503

Chapter 28

28-503.

Arson, second degree; penalty.

(1) A person commits arson in the second degree if he or she intentionally damages a building or property contained within a building by starting a fire or causing an explosion or if a fire is started or an explosion is caused in the perpetration of any robbery, burglary, or felony criminal mischief.

(2) The following affirmative defenses may be introduced into evidence upon prosecution for a violation of this section:

(a) No person other than the accused has a security or proprietary interest in the damaged building, or, if other persons have such interests, all of them consented to his or her conduct; or

(b) The accused's sole intent was to destroy or damage the building for a lawful and proper purpose.

(3) Arson in the second degree is a Class III felony.

Annotations

  • To sustain a conviction for arson, it is necessary that the evidence disclose the burning of the property as charged and that the burning was caused by the willful act of some person criminally responsible beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Workman, 213 Neb. 479, 329 N.W.2d 571 (1983).