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The 27th Alaska State Legislature, 2011 - 2012 |
  
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Sponsor Statement: House Bill 56
Include Arson In Crimes Of Conspiracy
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“An Act making arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree serious felonies for purposes of application of the crime of conspiracy.”
Posted: February 29, 2012 : v27-LS0312-M
Status: Chapter 66 SLA 12 : 2012-06-18
House Bill 56 adds first and second degree arson to Alaska's conspiracy statute, which will provide strong deterrents to committing arson and close a loophole in current law.
HB 56 was drafted after it became apparent during a committee hearing the last legislative session that arson is not currently included in Alaska's conspiracy statute. Because of this, arsonists may only be charged with a crime if the arson is completed, and they cannot be charged with the separate crime of conspiracy if two or more people are involved in the arson. HB 56 will fix those problems.
Including arson in the conspiracy statute will provide stronger punishments, whether or not conspirators actually complete the arson. Under HB 56, if arson is committed, the conspiring arsonists can charged with both arson and conspiracy, rather than just arson under the current law. If the arson is not completed, however, this bill will allow conspirators to be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit arson, which is not punishable under current law.
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