Voss v. State

The first assignment of error relates to the constitutionality of ch. 244 of the Laws of 1929 and this challenge is based upon the right to destroy one’s own property. It does not seem that there can be any question as to the constitutionality of this statute, which reads: “Any person who wilfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned . . . any dwelling . . . shall be punished,” etc.

Society would be without protection in circumstances such as these were it not possible to provide for prevention of wilful and malicious burning of dwellings. The public has interests which…