{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "150.05", "citation": "Penal Law § 150.05", "heading": "Arson in the fourth degree", "text": ["§ 150.05 Arson in the fourth degree.", "1. A person is guilty of arson in the fourth degree when he recklessly damages a building or motor vehicle by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.", "2. In any prosecution under this section, it is an affirmative defense that no person other than the defendant had a possessory or proprietary interest in the building or motor vehicle.", "Arson in the fourth degree is a class E felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/150.05", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "- **(1)** A person commits fourth-degree arson by **intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion and recklessly damaging a building or motor vehicle**.\n- **(2)** It is an **affirmative defense that no one other than the defendant had an ownership or possessory interest**. ★\nThe offense is a **class E felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/150.05", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}