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Fla. Stat. § 806.01 (2025)

Arson.

✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
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806.01 Arson.—
(1) Any person who willfully and unlawfully, or while in the commission of any felony, by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged:
(a) Any dwelling, whether occupied or not, or its contents;
(b) Any structure, or contents thereof, where persons are normally present, such as: jails, prisons, or detention centers; hospitals, nursing homes, or other health care facilities; department stores, office buildings, business establishments, churches, or educational institutions during normal hours of occupancy; or other similar structures; or
(c) Any other structure that he or she knew or had reasonable grounds to believe was occupied by a human being,

is guilty of arson in the first degree, which constitutes a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(2) Any person who willfully and unlawfully, or while in the commission of any felony, by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged any structure, whether the property of himself or herself or another, under any circumstances not referred to in subsection (1), is guilty of arson in the second degree, which constitutes a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) As used in this chapter, “structure” means any building of any kind, any enclosed area with a roof over it, any real property and appurtenances thereto, any tent or other portable building, and any vehicle, vessel, watercraft, or aircraft.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 15603, 1931; CGL 1936 Supp. 7208(8), (9); ss. 786, 787, ch. 71-136; s. 26, ch. 74-383; s. 18, ch. 75-298; s. 1, ch. 79-108; s. 1, ch. 90-225; s. 1228, ch. 97-102.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 806.01

M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§806.01(1)ARSON1ST DEGREE ARSONF · 1st
§806.01(2)ARSON2ND DEGREE ARSONF · 2nd
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 108 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1943–2025 · leading case: Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017).
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Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). · cites it 39× “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). · cites it 17× “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Linehan v. State, 442 So. 2d 244 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983). · cites it 11× “Defendant was indicted for arson under section 806.01, Florida Statutes (1981), and for first degree (felony) murder under section 782.”
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). · cites it 9× “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
In re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report No. 2012-04, 131 So. 3d 720 (Fla. 2013). · cites it 9× “12,1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Linehan v. State, 476 So. 2d 1262 (Fla. 1985). · cites it 6× “Petitioner was indicted for arson under section 806.01, Florida Statutes (1981), and first-degree felony murder under section 782.”
Stevens v. State, 195 So. 3d 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016). · cites it 27× “Determining whether a jury instruction on second-degree arson was required in this case thus requires understanding the-' relationship between first- and second-degreé arson under section 806.01. The difference between the two offenses primarily relates to the issue of human…”
Higgins v. State, 565 So. 2d 698 (Fla. 1990). · cites it 12× “NOTES [1] § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (1987), reads as follows: 806.”
State v. Wall, 445 So. 2d 646 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984). · cites it 12× “See Fla. Stat. § 806.01 : Florida Arson Law — The Evolution of the 1979 Amendments, Lawrence W.”
State v. Creighton, 469 So. 2d 735 (Fla. 1985). · cites it 4× “NOTES [1] Section 806.01(1), Florida Statutes (1981), provides: (1) Any person who willfully and unlawfully, by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged; (a) Any dwelling, whether occupied or not, or its contents; (b) Any structure, or contents thereof, where persons…”
State v. Mayle, 406 So. 2d 108 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981). · cites it 8× “[6] Fla. Stat. § 806.01 : Fla. Arson Law — The Evolution of the 1979 Amendments, 8 Fla.”
Moore v. State, 932 So. 2d 524 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006). · cites it 4× “The State charged the defendant with first degree arson in violation of section 806.01(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2003).”
Show all 108 citing cases →
— 806.01(1) — 22 cases
In re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report No. 2012-04, 131 So. 3d 720 (Fla. 2013). “12,1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
Linehan v. State, 442 So. 2d 244 (Fla. 2d DCA 1983). “Defendant was indicted for arson under section 806.01, Florida Statutes (1981), and for first degree (felony) murder under section 782.”
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
— 806.01(1)(a) — 11 cases
Moore v. State, 932 So. 2d 524 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006). “The State charged the defendant with first degree arson in violation of section 806.01(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2003).”
State v. Creighton, 469 So. 2d 735 (Fla. 1985). “NOTES [1] Section 806.01(1), Florida Statutes (1981), provides: (1) Any person who willfully and unlawfully, by fire or explosion, damages or causes to be damaged; (a) Any dwelling, whether occupied or not, or its contents; (b) Any structure, or contents thereof, where persons…”
Lofton v. State, 416 So. 2d 522 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982).
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
Washington v. State, 933 So. 2d 577 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006).
— 806.01(1)(b) — 7 cases
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
State v. Tomblin, 400 So. 2d 1012 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981).
Higgins v. State, 565 So. 2d 698 (Fla. 1990). “NOTES [1] § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (1987), reads as follows: 806.”
IM v. State, 917 So. 2d 927 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005).
— 806.01(1)(c) — 5 cases
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
Pacheco v. State, 698 So. 2d 593 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997).
Neilson v. State, 713 So. 2d 1110 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998).
Erwin v. State, 532 So. 2d 724 (Fla. 5th DCA 1988).
In Re: Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report 2018-05., 257 So. 3d 925 (Fla. 2018).
— 806.01(2) — 32 cases
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
Stevens v. State, 195 So. 3d 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016). “Determining whether a jury instruction on second-degree arson was required in this case thus requires understanding the-' relationship between first- and second-degreé arson under section 806.01. The difference between the two offenses primarily relates to the issue of human…”
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
Brown v. State, 473 So. 2d 1260 (Fla. 1985).
State v. Mayle, 406 So. 2d 108 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981). “[6] Fla. Stat. § 806.01 : Fla. Arson Law — The Evolution of the 1979 Amendments, 8 Fla.”
— 806.01(3) — 15 cases
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
In re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report No. 2012-04, 131 So. 3d 720 (Fla. 2013). “12,1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Stand. Jury Instructions-Crim. Cases, 603 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. 1992). “[Page A-50] *1228 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE (Amended) F.S. 806.01(1) Before you can find the defendant guilty of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: Elements 1.”
State v. Mayle, 406 So. 2d 108 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981). “[6] Fla. Stat. § 806.01 : Fla. Arson Law — The Evolution of the 1979 Amendments, 8 Fla.”
— 806.01(8) — 1 case
Moore v. State, 787 So. 2d 71 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001).
— 806.01(l) — 1 case
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
— 806.01(l)(a) — 11 cases
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
Stevens v. State, 195 So. 3d 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016). “Determining whether a jury instruction on second-degree arson was required in this case thus requires understanding the-' relationship between first- and second-degreé arson under section 806.01. The difference between the two offenses primarily relates to the issue of human…”
I.M. v. State, 917 So. 2d 927 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005).
P.P.M. v. State, 447 So. 2d 445 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984).
— 806.01(l)(b) — 4 cases
I.M. v. State, 917 So. 2d 927 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005).
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
Stevens v. State, 195 So. 3d 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016). “Determining whether a jury instruction on second-degree arson was required in this case thus requires understanding the-' relationship between first- and second-degreé arson under section 806.01. The difference between the two offenses primarily relates to the issue of human…”
Moore v. State, 787 So. 2d 71 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001).
— 806.01(l)(c) — 5 cases
Vernon Stevens v. State of Florida, 226 So. 3d 787 (Fla. 2017). “See § 806.01, Fla. Stat. (2007); Stevens, 195 So.”
In Re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases— Report No. 2013-03, 146 So. 3d 1110 (Fla. 2014). “1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four]two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
In re Stand. Jury Instructions in Crim. Cases-Report No. 2012-04, 131 So. 3d 720 (Fla. 2013). “12,1 ARSON — FIRST DEGREE § 806.01(1), Fla. Stat. To prove the crime of Arson, the State must prove the following [three] [four] elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 1.”
Baxter v. State, 127 So. 3d 726 (Fla. 1st DCA 2013).
Stevens v. State, 195 So. 3d 403 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016). “Determining whether a jury instruction on second-degree arson was required in this case thus requires understanding the-' relationship between first- and second-degreé arson under section 806.01. The difference between the two offenses primarily relates to the issue of human…”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida criminal defense attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 806 matters in the context of arson defense and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.