Question

A man knowingly and without permission sets a small trash fire on state government property. The fire is quickly detected and extinguished before it can spread, and no one is hurt as a result of the incident. In this situation, would it be appropriate to charge this man with "criminal damage to government-supported

property"?

Answer 1

It is unlikely that the man would be charged with criminal damage to government-supported property because the incident involved a small trash fire that did not cause any harm. Burning the flag is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided, it is unlikely that the man would be charged with "criminal damage to government-supported property." This is because the incident involved a small trash fire that was quickly extinguished before it could spread, and no one was hurt as a result. In a similar case involving flag desecration, the Supreme Court decided that burning the flag is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. Therefore, the man's actions may be considered protected speech and not criminal damage.