New Mexico Statutes 30-16-10. Forgery
A. Forgery consists of:
Attorney's Note
Under the New Mexico Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| second degree felony | up to 9 years | up to $10,000 |
| third degree felony | up to 3 years | up to $5,000 |
| fourth degree felony | up to 18 months | up to $5,000 |
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 30-16-10
- Codicil: An addition, change, or supplement to a will executed with the same formalities required for the will itself.
- Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
- Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. Source: OCC
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
(1) falsely making or altering any signature to, or any part of, any writing purporting to have any legal efficacy with intent to injure or defraud; or
(2) knowingly issuing or transferring a forged writing with intent to injure or defraud.
B. Whoever commits forgery when there is no quantifiable damage or when the damage is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or less is guilty of a fourth degree felony.
C. Whoever commits forgery when the damage is over two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) but not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a third degree felony.
D. Regardless of value, whoever commits forgery of a will, codicil, trust instrument, deed, mortgage, lien or any other instrument affecting title to real property is guilty of a third degree felony.
E. Whoever commits forgery when the damage is over twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) is guilty of a second degree felony.