Can You Be Charged With Arson For Failing to Report A Fire?

In some circumstances, New Jersey law makes it a crime to fail to report a fire that occurs on your property, even if the fire is lawful. For example, if the fire endangers life or damages a substantial portion of another person’s property and you fail to take reasonable measures to put out or control the fire, when you can do so without substantial risk. In this instance you can be charged with a fourth-degree offense. If you have an official, contractual, or other legal duty to prevent or combat the fire, you are also guilty of a crime of the fourth degree if you fail to report the fire.