Arson within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, within the , and sets fire to or burns any building, structure or vessel, any machinery or building materials or supplies, military or naval stores, munitions of war, or any structural aids or appliances for navigation or shipping, or or to do such an act, shall be imprisoned for not more than 25 years, fined the greater of the fine under this title or the cost of repairing or replacing any property that is damaged or destroyed, or both.
If the building be a dwelling or if the life of any person be placed in jeopardy, he shall be or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 688 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), (K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 104–132, title VII, §708(b), Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1296; Pub. L. 107–56, title VIII, §§810(a), 811(a), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 380, 381.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to willfully and maliciously set fire to or burn any building, structure, vessel, machinery, supplies, military stores, or navigation aids within special federal jurisdiction (such as federal lands, military bases, or U.S. ships at sea). Attempts and conspiracies are also covered.