Iowa Code » Chapter 712 — ARSON
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 712.5 (2026)

Reckless use of fire, explosives, or destructive devices

✓ current as of July 2026
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Any person who uses fire, explosives, or destructive devices to recklessly endanger the property or safety of another shall be guilty of a serious misdemeanor. [C51, §2607; R60, §4231; C73, §3889; C97, §4785; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12992; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §707.7; C79, 81, §712.5] 2023 Acts, ch 12, §3, 8 Referred to in §712.9

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1978–2025 · leading case: State v. Royer, 436 N.W.2d 637 (Iowa 1989).
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State v. Royer, 436 N.W.2d 637 (Iowa 1989). · cites it 6× “3 , or reckless use of fire, Iowa Code § 712.5 , under the arson count.”
State v. Kernes, 262 N.W.2d 602 (Iowa 1978). “5(2) (defining involuntary manslaughter “ * * * the commission of an act in a manner likely to cause death or serious injury”); § 712.5 (reckless use of fire or explosives).”
State v. Augustine, 458 N.W.2d 859 (Iowa Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 2× “On appeal from her conviction for the reckless use of fire, Iowa Code § 712.5 , defendant argues the district court erred in 1) admitting highly prejudicial hearsay evidence during trial; and 2) overruling her motion for a verdict of acquittal.”
State of Iowa v. Jayden Ray Chapman (Iowa Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “2 (2013), in the deaths of Marvin Huelsing and Alice Huisenga, and one count of reckless use of fire, in violation of section 712.5. Chapman contends his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in failing to object to faulty jury instructions.”
In the Interest of A.B., Minor Child, A.B., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 6× “Following the hearing, the juvenile court adjudicated A.”
State of Iowa v. Kyle Andrew Hattrup (Iowa Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “By asserting an insanity defense, a defendant bears the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the defendant suffered from a diseased or deranged condition of the mind, and (2) the condition made the defendant either incapable of knowing the nature and…”
State of Iowa v. Brian Thomas Woods (Iowa Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “See Iowa Code § 712.5 . In doing so, Woods admitted that the State “could prove to a jury that [he] recklessly used fire or any incendiary device or materials as to recklessly endanger the property of another.”
In the Interest of D.T., Minor Child (Iowa Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “After being granted discretionary review, a child challenges a juvenile court order granting restitution for his delinquent act of reckless use of fire in violation of Iowa Code section 712.5 (2021) following entry of a consent decree.”
State of Iowa v. John Houston Fraley (Iowa Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “In light of these facts, Fraley pled guilty to reckless use of fire, in violation of Iowa Code section 712.5 (2021). The district court entered a judgment and sentencing order accepting the plea.”
State of Iowa v. David Edward Wetzel, Jr. (Iowa Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “Wetzel entered a written guilty plea in 2024 to a lesser-included offense of reckless use of fire or explosives in violation of Iowa Code section 712.5 (2023), a serious misdemeanor.”
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