New Mexico Statutes 18-6-9. Cultural property; unauthorized excavation, injury or destruction; criminal damage to property
A. Any person who knowingly excavates, injures or destroys cultural property located on state land without a permit is guilty of criminal damage to property.
Attorney's Note
Under the New Mexico Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| fourth degree felony | up to 18 months | up to $5,000 |
| petty misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $500 |
B. Any person who solicits, employs or counsels another person to excavate, injure or destroy cultural property located on state land without a permit is guilty of criminal damage to property.
C. Whoever commits criminal damage to property pursuant to the provisions of this section and the value of the property excavated, injured or destroyed is:
(1) less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be sentenced according to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 N.M. Stat. Ann.; or
(2) one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced according to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 N.M. Stat. Ann..