{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "150.10", "citation": "Penal Law § 150.10", "heading": "Arson in the third degree", "text": ["§ 150.10 Arson in the third degree.", "1. A person is guilty of arson in the third degree when he intentionally damages a building or motor vehicle by starting a fire or causing an explosion.", "2. In any prosecution under this section, it is an affirmative defense that (a) no person other than the defendant had a possessory or proprietary interest in the building or motor vehicle, or if other persons had such interests, all of them consented to the defendant's conduct, and (b) the defendant's sole intent was to destroy or damage the building or motor vehicle for a lawful and proper purpose, and (c) the defendant had no reasonable ground to believe that his conduct might endanger the life or safety of another person or damage another building or motor vehicle.", "Arson in the third degree is a class C felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/150.10", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "- **(1)** A person commits third-degree arson by **intentionally damaging a building or motor vehicle through fire or explosion**.\n- **(2)** It is an **affirmative defense** that only the defendant had an ownership or possessory interest, or every other interest-holder consented; the sole purpose was lawful and proper; and the defendant had no reasonable ground to foresee danger to anyone or another building or vehicle. ★\nThe offense is a **class C felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/150.10", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}