Is a improperly discarded cigarette out a car window that starts a wild fire considered arson? Doing a school project on arson and investigations but haven't got a clear answer on this
2007-05-17 17:19:04 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
i am sure things like this vary from state to state, region to region. if you call you local fire investigator...i am sure they can help you out. good luck.
2007-05-17 17:23:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HHmm....good question. If someone tried to buildd a case against someone, they would need forensics. Fortunately, you can get a DNA sample from a cigarette butt. I assume it would still be around, or else how could you think the fire started that way? If you could find enough clues and forenics to elimate a reasonable doubt, I think you could build a case for arson.
Many legal verdicts hang on the concept of "reasonable doubt".
2007-05-17 17:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by Too Curious 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the law in your state. Generally, arson is a crime of intent - meaning the defendant has to intend to set a fire. However, in some jurisdictions, gross negligence might be sufficient. Alternatively, it could be sufficient if the act of tossing the cigarette was a criminal act by itself.
2007-05-17 17:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by LawMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is against the law in most states to toss a lit cigarette out the car window or flip it anywhere.
2007-05-17 17:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the question is one of INTENT. was it done on purpose???
2007-05-17 17:40:59 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋