Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88 — Carelessly damaging property by fire
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 1: Arson and Related Crimes, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
If any person carelessly, negligently or intentionally set any woods or marshes on fire, or set fire to any stubble, brush, straw, or any other substance capable of spreading fire on lands, whereby the property of another is damaged or jeopardized, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses incurred in fighting the fire.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is carelessly damaging property by fire a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Carelessly damaging property by fire is a class 4 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88.
Which Virginia statute covers carelessly damaging property by fire?
Carelessly damaging property by fire is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-88 (Carelessly damaging property by fire).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.