Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Under what condition is an offender committing the felony of arson?

1. When they damage property intentionally

2. When property is worth over $100

3. When fire is used

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

An offender is committing the felony of arson under conditions that encompass all aspects of the act, which include intentional damage to property, the value of the property, and the use of fire. Arson is specifically characterized by the deliberate act of setting fire to or causing an explosion that damages property. This act must be intentional, meaning that the offender had a purpose to destroy, damage, or defraud. Moreover, the severity of the charge is often linked to the value of the property being damaged; in many jurisdictions, the destruction of property valued over a specific amount, such as $100, can elevate the degree of the offense. Additionally, fire is a crucial element in defining arson. The act of utilizing fire or explosives as a means to commit damage is what distinctly categorizes the action as arson rather than simple vandalism or other property crimes. Therefore, for an act to be categorized as arson, it must meet all these criteria: intentional damage, the value of the property involved, and the use of fire, which is why the choice that encompasses all these elements is the correct one.