Mississippi § 97-17-3 - Arson; first degree; place of worship; failure to report accidental fires; juvenile offenders.

§ 97-17-3. Arson; first degree; place of worship; failure to report accidental fires; juvenile offenders.

Any person who willfully and maliciously sets fire to, or burns, or causes to be burned, or who is a party to destruction by explosion from combustible material, who aids, counsels, or procures the burning or destruction of any church, temple, synagogue or other established place of worship, whether in use or vacant, shall be guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction therefor, shall be sentenced to the penitentiary for not less than five (5) nor more than thirty (30) years and shall pay restitution for any damage caused. Any person observing or witnessing the destruction by fire of any state-supported school building or any church, temple, synagogue or other established place of worship, whether occupied or vacant, which fire was the result of his or her act of an accidental nature, and who willfully fails to sound the general alarm or report such fire to the local fire department or other local authorities, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction therefor, shall be sentenced to the penitentiary for not less than two (2) nor more than ten (10) years and shall pay restitution for any damage caused. Any person, who by reason of his age comes under the jurisdiction of juvenile authorities and who is found guilty under subsection (1) of this section, shall not be eligible for probation unless and until at least six (6) months’ confinement has been served in a state reform school. Any person convicted under this section shall be subject to treble damages for any damage caused by such person. Any property used in the commission of arson in the first degree shall be subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 97-17-4.