(a) A person is guilty of arson in the third degree when he recklessly causes destruction or damage to a building, as defined in section 53a-100, of his own or of another by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.
(b) Arson in the third degree is a class C felony.
(1969, P.A. 828, S. 115; P.A. 73-639, S. 6; P.A. 79-570, S. 5; P.A. 80-229, S. 3; P.A. 92-260, S. 46.)
History: P.A. 73-639 specified applicability to destruction or damage of person's own building in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-570 made third degree arson a Class C, rather than a Class D, felony; P.A. 80-229 added reference to building definition in Sec. 53a-100; P.A. 92-260 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).
Cited. 172 C. 298; 177 C. 545; 191 C. 636; 194 C. 210; 197 C. 158; 198 C. 92. There is no such thing as a conspiracy to commit a crime which is defined in terms of recklessly or negligently causing a result; therefore conspiracy to commit arson in the third degree in violation of this statute and Sec. 53a-48 is not a crime cognizable under state law. 199 C. 1. Cited. 200 C. 268; 202 C. 520; 235 C. 185; Id., 679.
Cited. 6 CA 680; 10 CA 361; 22 CA 53; 35 CA 94; judgment reversed, see 235 C. 185; Id., 714.
Cited. 41 CS 525.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 952 - Penal Code: Offenses
Section 53a-25. - Felony: Definition, classification, designation.
Section 53a-26. - Misdemeanor: Definition, classification, designation.
Section 53a-27. - Violation: Definition, designation.
Section 53a-28. - Authorized sentences.
Section 53a-28a. - Enforcement of orders of financial restitution.
Section 53a-30. - Conditions of probation and conditional discharge.
Section 53a-32a. - Violation of probation by certain sexual offenders.
Section 53a-33. - Termination of probation or conditional discharge.
Section 53a-34. - Unconditional discharge: Criteria; effect.
Section 53a-35b. - “Life imprisonment” defined.
Section 53a-35c. - Availability of sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
Section 53a-36. - Imprisonment for misdemeanor. Definite sentence. Authorized term.
Section 53a-36a. - Imprisonment term for misdemeanor not to exceed three hundred sixty-four days.
Section 53a-37. - Multiple sentences: Concurrent or consecutive, minimum term.
Section 53a-38. - Calculation of terms of imprisonment.
Section 53a-39a. - Alternate incarceration program.
Section 53a-39b. - Special alternative incarceration program for young male defendants.
Section 53a-39c. - Community service labor program.
Section 53a-39d. - Pilot zero-tolerance drug supervision program.
Section 53a-40. - Persistent offenders: Definitions; defense; authorized sentences; procedure.
Section 53a-40a. - Persistent offenders of crimes involving bigotry or bias. Authorized sentences.
Section 53a-40e. - Standing criminal protective orders.
Section 53a-41. - Fines for felonies.
Section 53a-42. - Fines for misdemeanors.
Section 53a-43. - Fines for violations.
Section 53a-44. - Alternative fine based on defendant's gain.
Section 53a-44a. - Surcharge on fine for criminal trespass or criminal mischief on public land.
Section 53a-45. - Murder: Penalty; waiver of jury trial; finding of lesser degree.
Section 53a-46. - Sentencing proceedings; appeal.
Section 53a-46b. - Review of death sentence.
Section 53a-46c. - Applicability of death penalty provisions in effect on and after October 1, 1980.
Section 53a-48. - Conspiracy. Renunciation.
Section 53a-49. - Criminal attempt: Sufficiency of conduct; renunciation as defense.
Section 53a-50. - Effect of motivation on renunciation.
Section 53a-51. - Classification of attempt and conspiracy.
Section 53a-52. - Conviction; sentencing.
Section 53a-54b. - Murder with special circumstances.
Section 53a-54c. - Felony murder.
Section 53a-54d. - Arson murder.
Section 53a-54e. - Construction of statutes re capital felony committed prior to April 25, 2012.
Section 53a-55. - Manslaughter in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-56. - Manslaughter in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-56b. - Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle: Class C felony.
Section 53a-57. - Misconduct with a motor vehicle: Class D felony.
Section 53a-58. - Criminally negligent homicide: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-58a. - Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle.
Section 53a-59. - Assault in the first degree: Class B felony: Nonsuspendable sentences.
Section 53a-60. - Assault in the second degree: Class D or C felony.
Section 53a-60d. - Assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle: Class D felony.
Section 53a-61. - Assault in the third degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-61aa. - Threatening in the first degree: Class D or class C felony.
Section 53a-62. - Threatening in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor or class D felony.
Section 53a-63. - Reckless endangerment in the first degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-64. - Reckless endangerment in the second degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-64aa. - Strangulation or suffocation in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-64bb. - Strangulation or suffocation in the second degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-64cc. - Strangulation or suffocation in the third degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-65. - Definitions.
Section 53a-66. - Lack of consent.
Section 53a-67. - Affirmative defenses.
Section 53a-68 and 53a-69. - Corroboration; exceptions. Time limitation for complaint.
Section 53a-70. - Sexual assault in the first degree: Class B or A felony.
Section 53a-70a. - Aggravated sexual assault in the first degree: Class B or A felony.
Section 53a-70b. - Sexual assault in spousal or cohabiting relationship: Class B felony.
Section 53a-70c. - Aggravated sexual assault of a minor: Class A felony.
Section 53a-71. - Sexual assault in the second degree: Class C or B felony.
Section 53a-72. - Rape in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-72a. - Sexual assault in the third degree: Class D or C felony.
Section 53a-72b. - Sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm: Class C or B felony.
Section 53a-73. - Rape in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-73a. - Sexual assault in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor or class D felony.
Section 53a-82. - Prostitution: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-83. - Soliciting sexual acts: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-83a. - Patronizing a prostitute from a motor vehicle: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-83b. - Commercial sexual abuse of a minor: Class B felony.
Section 53a-84. - Defenses barred.
Section 53a-85. - Promoting prostitution: Definitions.
Section 53a-86. - Promoting prostitution in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-87. - Promoting prostitution in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-88. - Promoting prostitution in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-89. - Permitting prostitution: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-90a. - Enticing a minor. Penalties.
Section 53a-90b. - Misrepresentation of age to entice a minor: Class C felony.
Section 53a-91. - Definitions.
Section 53a-92. - Kidnapping in the first degree: Class A felony.
Section 53a-92a. - Kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm: Class A felony.
Section 53a-93. - Proceeding to determine sentence for kidnapping in first degree.
Section 53a-94. - Kidnapping in the second degree: Class B felony: Three years not suspendable.
Section 53a-95. - Unlawful restraint in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-96. - Unlawful restraint in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-97. - Custodial interference in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-98. - Custodial interference in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-99. - Substitution of children: Class D felony.
Section 53a-100. - Definitions.
Section 53a-100aa. - Home invasion: Class A felony.
Section 53a-101. - Burglary in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-102. - Burglary in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-103. - Burglary in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-104. - Affirmative defense to burglary.
Section 53a-105. - Conviction for burglary and other offense authorized, when.
Section 53a-106. - Manufacturing or possession of burglar's tools: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-107. - Criminal trespass in the first degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-108. - Criminal trespass in the second degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-109. - Criminal trespass in the third degree: Class C or class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-110. - Affirmative defenses to criminal trespass.
Section 53a-110a. - Simple trespass: Infraction.
Section 53a-110d. - Simple trespass of railroad property: Infraction.
Section 53a-111. - Arson in the first degree: Class A felony.
Section 53a-112. - Arson in the second degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-113. - Arson in the third degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-114. - Reckless burning: Class D felony.
Section 53a-115. - Criminal mischief in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-116. - Criminal mischief in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-117. - Criminal mischief in the third degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-117a. - Criminal mischief in the fourth degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-117e. - Criminal damage of a landlord's property in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-117k. - Damage to railroad property in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-117l. - Damage to railroad property in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-117m. - Damage to railroad property in the third degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-118. - Definitions generally.
Section 53a-119. - Larceny defined.
Section 53a-119a. - Shoplifting and library theft; detention, questioning, presumption of crime.
Section 53a-120. - Theft of services; service and credit card defined.
Section 53a-121. - Value of property or services.
Section 53a-122. - Larceny in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-123. - Larceny in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-124. - Larceny in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-125. - Larceny in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-125a. - Larceny in the fifth degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-125b. - Larceny in the sixth degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-125c. - Telephone fraud in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-125d. - Telephone fraud in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-125e. - Telephone fraud in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-125f. - Telephone fraud in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-125g. - Telephone fraud in the fifth degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-125h. - Telephone fraud in the sixth degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-126. - Larceny by receiving stolen property.
Section 53a-126b. - Criminal trover in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-127. - Diversion from state of benefit of labor of employees: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-127b. - Fraudulent use of an automated teller machine: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-127d. - Cheating: Class D felony or class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-127e. - Possession of a cheating device: Class D felony.
Section 53a-127f. - Possession of a shoplifting device: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-128. - Issuing a bad check. Penalties.
Section 53a-128a. - Credit and debit card crimes. Definitions.
Section 53a-128b. - False statement to procure issuance or loading of payment card.
Section 53a-128c. - Payment card theft. Illegal transfer. Fraud. Forgery.
Section 53a-128d. - Illegal use of payment card. Presumption of knowledge of revocation.
Section 53a-128e. - Illegal furnishing of money, goods or services on payment card.
Section 53a-128f. - Unlawful completion or reproduction of payment card.
Section 53a-128g. - Receipt of money, goods or services obtained by illegal use of credit card.
Section 53a-128h. - Certain defenses denied.
Section 53a-128i. - Penalties for credit card crimes.
Section 53a-129. - Misapplication of property: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-129a. - Identity theft defined.
Section 53a-129b. - Identity theft in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-129c. - Identity theft in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-129d. - Identity theft in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-129e. - Trafficking in personal identifying information: Class D felony.
Section 53a-130. - Criminal impersonation: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-130a. - Impersonation of a police officer: Class D felony.
Section 53a-131. - Unlawfully concealing a will: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-132. - False entry by an officer or agent of a public community: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-133. - Robbery defined.
Section 53a-134. - Robbery in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-135. - Robbery in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-136. - Robbery in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-136a. - Robbery involving occupied motor vehicle. Penalty.
Section 53a-137. - Definitions.
Section 53a-138. - Forgery in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-139. - Forgery in the second degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-140. - Forgery in the third degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-141. - Criminal simulation: Class D felony.
Section 53a-142. - Forgery of symbols: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-142a. - Filing a false record: Class D felony.
Section 53a-143. - Unlawfully using slugs: Definitions.
Section 53a-144. - Unlawfully using slugs in the first degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-145. - Unlawfully using slugs in the second degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-146. - Definitions.
Section 53a-147. - Bribery: Class C felony.
Section 53a-148. - Bribe receiving: Class C felony.
Section 53a-148a. - Failure to report bribery: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-149. - Bribery of a witness: Class C felony.
Section 53a-150. - Bribe receiving by a witness: Class C felony.
Section 53a-151. - Tampering with a witness: Class C felony.
Section 53a-151a. - Intimidating a witness: Class B felony.
Section 53a-152. - Bribery of a juror: Class C felony.
Section 53a-153. - Bribe receiving by a juror: Class C felony.
Section 53a-154. - Tampering with a juror: Class D felony.
Section 53a-155. - Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence: Class D felony.
Section 53a-156. - Perjury: Class D felony.
Section 53a-157a. - False statement on a certified payroll: Class D felony.
Section 53a-157b. (Formerly Sec. 53a-157). - False statement: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-158. - Bribery of a labor official: Class D felony.
Section 53a-159. - Bribe receiving by a labor official: Class D felony.
Section 53a-160. - Commercial bribery: Class D felony.
Section 53a-161. - Receiving a commercial bribe: Class D felony.
Section 53a-161a. - Bid rigging: Class D felony.
Section 53a-161b. - Disclosure of bid or proposal: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-161c. - Receiving kickbacks: Class D felony.
Section 53a-161d. - Paying a kickback: Class D felony.
Section 53a-162. - Rigging: Class D felony.
Section 53a-163. - Soliciting or accepting benefit for rigging: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-164. - Participation in a rigged contest: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-165. - Hindering prosecution defined.
Section 53a-165aa. - Hindering prosecution in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-166. - Hindering prosecution in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-167. - Hindering prosecution in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-167a. - Interfering with an officer: Class A misdemeanor or class D felony.
Section 53a-167b. - Failure to assist peace officer or firefighter: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-167d. - Assault of a prosecutor: Class C felony.
Section 53a-167e. - Aggravated assault of a public transit employee: Class C felony.
Section 53a-167f. - Abuse of an oath document: Class D Felony.
Section 53a-168. - Escape: Definitions.
Section 53a-169. - Escape in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-170. - Escape in the second degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-171. - Escape from custody: Class C felony or class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-171a. - Aiding escape from hospital or sanatorium: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-172. - Failure to appear in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-173. - Failure to appear in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-175. - Riot in the first degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-176. - Riot in the second degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-177. - Unlawful assembly: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-178. - Inciting to riot: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-179. - Criminal advocacy: Class D felony.
Section 53a-179a. - Inciting injury to persons or property: Class C felony.
Section 53a-179b. - Rioting at correctional institution: Class B felony.
Section 53a-179c. - Inciting to riot at correctional institution: Class C felony.
Section 53a-180. - Falsely reporting an incident in the first degree: Class D or C felony.
Section 53a-180d. - Misuse of the emergency 9-1-1 system: Class B or A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-180aa. - Breach of the peace in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-181. - Breach of the peace in the second degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-181a. - Creating a public disturbance: Infraction.
Section 53a-181b. - Intimidation based on bigotry or bias: Class D felony.
Section 53a-181c. - Stalking in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-181d. - Stalking in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-181e. - Stalking in the third degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-181f. - Electronic stalking: Class D felony.
Section 53a-181i. - Intimidation based on bigotry or bias: Definitions.
Section 53a-181j. - Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-181k. - Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-181l. - Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the third degree: Class E felony.
Section 53a-182. - Disorderly conduct: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-182a. - Obstructing free passage: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-182b. - Harassment in the first degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-183. - Harassment in the second degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-183b. - Interfering with an emergency call: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-183c. - Disruption of a funeral: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-185. - Loitering on school grounds: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-186. - Public indecency: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-187. - Definitions. Applicability.
Section 53a-188. - Tampering with private communications: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-189. - Eavesdropping: Class D felony.
Section 53a-189a. - Voyeurism: Class D or C felony.
Section 53a-189b. - Disseminating voyeuristic material: Class D felony.
Section 53a-190. - Bigamy: Class D felony.
Section 53a-191. - Incest: Class D felony.
Section 53a-192. - Coercion: Class A misdemeanor or class D felony.
Section 53a-192a. - Trafficking in persons: Class A felony.
Section 53a-193. - Definitions.
Section 53a-194. - Obscenity: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-196. - Obscenity as to minors: Class D felony.
Section 53a-196a. - Employing a minor in an obscene performance: Class A felony.
Section 53a-196b. - Promoting a minor in an obscene performance: Class B felony.
Section 53a-196c. - Importing child pornography: Class B felony.
Section 53a-196d. - Possessing child pornography in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-196e. - Possessing child pornography in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-196f. - Possessing child pornography in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-196g. - Possessing child pornography: Affirmative defenses.
Section 53a-196h. - Possessing or transmitting child pornography by minor: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-196i. - Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor: Class C felony.
Section 53a-199. - Injunction against promoting any obscene material or performance.
Section 53a-200. - Institution of action for adjudication of obscenity.
Section 53a-202. - Third party may be made a party.
Section 53a-203. - Jury trial.
Section 53a-206. - Injunction and restraining order.
Section 53a-207. - Service of process on nonresidents.
Section 53a-208. - Extradition.
Section 53a-210. - Levy of fine against property.
Section 53a-211. - Possession of a sawed-off shotgun or silencer: Class D felony.
Section 53a-212. - Stealing a firearm: Class C felony.
Section 53a-213. - Drinking while operating a motor vehicle: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-214. - Criminal lockout: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-215. - Insurance fraud: Class D felony.
Section 53a-216. - Criminal use of firearm or electronic defense weapon: Class D felony.
Section 53a-217a. - Criminally negligent storage of a firearm: Class D felony.
Section 53a-217b. - Possession of a weapon on school grounds: Class D felony.
Section 53a-217d. - Criminal possession of body armor: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-218. - Interference with a cemetery or burial ground: Class C felony.
Section 53a-219. - Unlawful possession or sale of gravestones: Class D felony.
Section 53a-220. - Interference with a memorial plaque: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-221. - Unlawful possession, purchase or sale of a memorial plaque: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-221a. - Interference with a war or veterans' memorial or monument: Class D felony.
Section 53a-223b. - Criminal violation of a restraining order: Class D or class C felony.
Section 53a-223c. - Criminal violation of a civil protection order: Class D felony.
Section 53a-224. - Recruiting a member of a criminal gang: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-250. - Definitions.
Section 53a-251. - Computer crime.
Section 53a-252. - Computer crime in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-253. - Computer crime in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-254. - Computer crime in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-255. - Computer crime in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-256. - Computer crime in the fifth degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-257. - Alternative fine based on defendant's gain.
Section 53a-258. - Determination of degree of crime.
Section 53a-259. - Value of property or computer services.
Section 53a-260. - Location of offense.
Section 53a-261. - Jurisdiction.
Section 53a-262. - Computer extortion by use of ransomware: Class E felony.
Section 53a-275. - Money laundering. Definitions.
Section 53a-276. - Money laundering in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-277. - Money laundering in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-278. - Money laundering in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-279. - Money laundering in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-280. - Money laundering. Alternative fine.
Section 53a-281. - Money laundering. Corporate fines.
Section 53a-282. - Money laundering. Presumptions.
Section 53a-290. - “Vendor fraud” defined.
Section 53a-291. - Vendor fraud in the first degree: Class B felony.
Section 53a-292. - Vendor fraud in the second degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-293. - Vendor fraud in the third degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-294. - Vendor fraud in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor.
Section 53a-295. - Vendor fraud in the fifth degree: Class B misdemeanor.
Section 53a-296. - Vendor fraud in the sixth degree: Class C misdemeanor.
Section 53a-300. - Act of terrorism. Enhanced sentence.
Section 53a-301. - Computer crime in furtherance of terrorist purposes: Class B felony.
Section 53a-302. - Criminal misrepresentation: Class C felony.
Section 53a-304. - Damage to public transportation property for terrorist purposes: Class C felony.
Section 53a-320. - Definitions.
Section 53a-321. - Abuse in the first degree: Class C felony.
Section 53a-322. - Abuse in the second degree: Class D felony.
Section 53a-323. - Abuse in the third degree: Class A misdemeanor.