Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 712.2 (2026)

Arson in the first degree

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. Arson is arson in the first degree when the presence of one or more persons can be reasonably anticipated in or near the property which is the subject of the arson, or the arson results in the death of a fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer. 2. Arson in the first degree is a class “B” felony. [C51, §2598, 2599; R60, §4222, 4223; C73, §3880, 3881; C97, §4776, 4777, 4795; C24, §12964, 12984, 12985; C27, 31, 35, §12964, 12991-b1; C39, §12964, 12991.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §697.4, 707.1; C79, 81, §712.2] 84 Acts, ch 1064, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1125, §14; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §70 Referred to in §902.12 Definition of forcible felony, §702.11

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: State of Iowa v. Robert Lynn Vaughan, 859 N.W.2d 492 (Iowa 2015).
State of Iowa v. Robert Lynn Vaughan, 859 N.W.2d 492 (Iowa 2015). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code § 712.2 . Vaughan’s mother Lawson was in the home at 2902 Avenue M when the fires were started.”
State v. Ceaser, 585 N.W.2d 192 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 2× “§ 712.2 (arson in the first degree), id. § 713.”
State v. Royer, 436 N.W.2d 637 (Iowa 1989). · cites it 2× “The defendant was tried on charges of one count of arson in the first degree, Iowa Code § 712.2 , 1 and two counts of first-degree murder.”
State v. Hansen, 286 N.W.2d 163 (Iowa 1979). · cites it 2× “This is an appeal by the State, under our discretionary review, from a ruling of the trial court suppressing certain evidence in a prosecution for the crime of first degree arson under section 712.2, Code Supp.1977. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further…”
State v. Hochmuth, 585 N.W.2d 234 (Iowa 1998). “§ 712.2 (arson in the first degree); id. § 713.”
State v. Ramirez, 597 N.W.2d 795 (Iowa 1999). “§ 712.2 (first-degree arson); id. § 713.3 (first-degree burglary); and id.”
State v. Willard, 568 N.W.2d 813 (Iowa 1997). · cites it 2× “2 provides: Arson is arson in the first degree when the property which the defendant intends to destroy or damage, or which the defendant knowingly endangers, is property in which the presence of one or more persons can be reasonably anticipated, or the arson results in the…”
Hatter v. Warden, Iowa Men's Reformatory, 734 F. Supp. 1505 (N.D. Iowa 1990). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 712.2 (1981). . A class "C” felony is punishable by confinement of up to ten years and a $5,000 fine.”
State v. Bartnick, 478 N.W.2d 878 (Iowa Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code section 712.2 defines arson in the first degree as follows: Arson is arson in the first degree when the property which the defendant intends to destroy or damage, or which the defendant knowingly endangers, is property in which the presence of one or more persons can…”
State of Iowa v. Barbara Lee Pasa (Iowa Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 5× “12(5) provides: A person serving a sentence for a conviction for arson in the first degree in violation of section 712.2 that occurs on or after July 1, 2019, shall be denied parole or work release until the person has served between one-half and seven-tenths of the maximum .”
State of Iowa v. Kristina Ann Manasil (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “” Iowa Code § 712.2 (2013) (emphasis added).”
State of Iowa v. Erin Macke (Iowa 2019). · cites it 2× “12 (4)) (“A person serving a sentence for a conviction for arson in the first degree in violation of section 712.2 that occurs on or after July 1, 2019, shall be denied parole or work release until the person has served between one-half and seven-tenths of the maximum term of…”
— Iowa Code § 712.2(1) — 1 case
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