# W. Va. Code § 61-3-4: Attempt to commit arson; fourth degree arson; penalty

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-3-4
- **Heading:** Attempt to commit arson; fourth degree arson; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 3 / Section 4

## Text

(a) Any person who willfully and maliciously attempts to set fire to or burn, or attempts to cause to be burned, or attempts to aid, counsel, procure, persuade, incite, entice or solicit any person to burn, any of the buildings, structures, or personal property mentioned in the foregoing sections, or who commits any act preliminary thereto, or in furtherance thereof, shall be guilty of arson in the fourth degree and, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to the penitentiary for a definite term of imprisonment which is not less than one nor more than two years, or fined not to exceed $2,500, or both. A person imprisoned pursuant to this section is not eligible for parole prior to having served a minimum of one year of his or her sentence.

(b) The placing or distributing of any inflammable, explosive or combustible material or substance, or any device in any building, structure or personal property mentioned in the foregoing sections, in an arrangement or preparation with intent to eventually, willfully and maliciously, set fire to or burn, or to cause to be burned, or to aid, counsel, procure, persuade, incite, entice or solicit the setting fire to or burning of any building, structure or personal property mentioned in the foregoing sections shall, for the purposes of this section, constitute an attempt to burn that building, structure or personal property.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-1 §61-3-1. Burning, etc., of a dwelling or outbuilding; first degree arson; penalty; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-2 §61-3-2. Burning, etc., of other buildings or structures; second degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-3 §61-3-3. Burning personal property of another of the value of five hundred dollars or more; third degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-4 §61-3-4. Attempt to commit arson; fourth degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-5 §61-3-5. Burning, or attempting to burn, insured property; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-6 §61-3-6. Willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-7 §61-3-7. Causing injuries during an arson-related crime; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-8 §61-3-8. Recovery of costs incurred in fighting fires caused by arson.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-11 §61-3-11. Burglary; entry of dwelling or outhouse; criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-12 §61-3-12. Entry of building other than dwelling; entry of railroad, traction or motorcar, steamboat, or other vessel; penalties; counts in indictment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S12.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-13 §61-3-13. Grand and petit larceny distinguished; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S13.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-14 §61-3-14. Larceny of bank notes, checks, writings of value and book accounts; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S14.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-15 §61-3-15. How value of notes, book accounts and other writings determined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S15.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-16 §61-3-16. Larceny of things savoring of realty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S16.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.