<P> In California, a conviction for arson of property that is not your own is a felony punishable by up to three years in state prison . Aggravated arson, which carries the most severe punishment for arson, is punishable by 10 years to life in state prison . </P> <P> Some states, such as California, prosecute the lesser offense of "reckless burning" when the fire is set recklessly as opposed to wilfully and maliciously . The study of the causes is the subject of fire investigation . </P> <P> In English law, arson was a common law offence (except for the offence of arson in royal dockyards) dealing with the criminal destruction of buildings by fire . The common law offence was abolished by s. 11 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 . The 1971 Act makes no general distinction as to the mode of destruction except that s. 1 (3) requires that if the destruction is by fire then the offence will be charged as arson; s. 4 of the Act provides a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for conviction under s. 1 whether or not the offence is charged as arson . In Hong Kong, the common law offence was abolished by s 67 of the Crimes Ordinance 1971 (Part VIII of which, as amended by Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance 1972, mirrored the English Criminal Damage Act 1971). Like the English counterparts, 63 of the 1972 Ordinance provides a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and s 60 (3) of the Ordinance requires that if the damage is by fire the offence should be charged as arson . </P> <P> Scotland has no offence known as arson . Events constituting arson in English law might be dealt with as one or more of a variety of offences such as wilful fire - raising, culpable and reckless conduct, vandalism or other offences depending on the circumstances of the event . The more serious offences (in particular wilful fire - raising and culpable and reckless conduct) can incur a sentence of life imprisonment . </P>

What is the punishment for arson in the uk
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