New Mexico Statutes 73-17-6. Liability for damages
A. All persons and public corporations, shall be liable for damages done to works of the district by themselves, their agents, their employes [employees] or by their livestock. Any person guilty of wilful damage shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not to exceed two hundred ($200) dollars and costs and shall be liable for all damages and costs. The board shall have authority to repair such damage at the expense of the person or public corporation causing the same.
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 73-17-6
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
B. In all cases declared misdemeanors by this act, any justice of the peace [magistrate] of the county in which the offense is committed shall have jurisdiction thereof, and upon complaint being made as is now required by law, may issue a warrant directed to any proper officer of his county, for the arrest of any person so charged with any such misdemeanor, and upon the arrest of such person, the justice of the peace [magistrate] before whom such person is brought for trial shall hear and determine the cause, and if he finds the accused guilty, shall assess the fine as prescribed in this act.