{"id":50533,"date":"2021-09-29T16:11:42","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T16:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oykhmancriminaldefence.com\/edmonton\/?page_id=5772"},"modified":"2026-04-26T11:49:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T18:49:52","slug":"arson-lawyers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.strategiccriminaldefence.com\/edmonton\/arson-lawyers\/","title":{"rendered":"Arson Lawyers Edmonton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arson<\/strong>\u00a0is an offence classified under \u201cwilful and forbidden acts in respect of certain property\u201d in the Criminal Code of Canada (the \u201cCode\u201d). This is a serious offence, with the maximum punishment including life imprisonment.\u00a0Our arson lawyers in Edmonton can help.<\/p>\n

In Edmonton, statistics<\/a> show that incidents of arson are on the rise. In 2016 there were 396 incidents of arson, compared to 508 in 2019. Due to the immense danger and potential for loss (whether human, or property), the Edmonton Police Service is on high alert for this type of offence and the punishments reflect the seriousness of the charge.<\/p>\n

The main component of arson is the dangerous use of fire or explosives. In Canada, the Code<\/em> recognizes five different types:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Setting a fire that causes bodily harm to another person or being reckless as to whether the property set on fire is occupied by one or more people;<\/li>\n
  2. Setting a fire that intentionally causes damage to another person\u2019s property or is reckless as to whether damage ensues;<\/li>\n
  3. Setting a fire on your own property that damages your own property and seriously threatens the health, safety, or property of another person;<\/li>\n
  4. Causing damage by fire to property with the intent of committing\u00a0fraud<\/a>\u00a0(e.g. collecting insurance money);<\/li>\n
  5. Letting a fire get out of control and causing bodily harm to another person by being negligent.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The relevant provision for arson in the Code<\/em><\/a> begins at section 433:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

    Arson \u2014 disregard for human life<\/strong><\/p>\n

    433<\/strong> Every person who intentionally or recklessly causes damage by fire or explosion to property, whether or not that person owns the property, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life where<\/p>\n

    (a)<\/strong> the person knows that or is reckless with respect to whether the property is inhabited or occupied; or<\/p>\n

    (b)<\/strong> the fire or explosion causes bodily harm to another person.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>