New Mexico § 16-2-32 - Criminal offenses; penalty

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 16-2-32 — Criminal offenses; penalty, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 16-2-32. Criminal offenses; penalty

A person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and

shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978: A. cut, break, injure, destroy, take or remove a tree, shrub, timber, plant or natural

object in any state park and recreation area, except in areas designated by the secretary

and permitted by rules adopted by the secretary. Such rules shall only permit the removal of a tree, shrub, timber, plant or natural

object for scientific study or for noncommercial use by an individual as a souvenir. The quantity of material authorized for removal from any area shall be strictly

regulated by park personnel in order to minimize resource damage; B. kill, cause to be killed or pursue with intent to kill a bird or animal in a state

park and recreation area, except in areas designated by the secretary and except in

conformity with the provisions of general law and the rules of the state game commission; C. take a fish from the waters of a state park and recreation area, except in conformity

with the provisions of general law and the rules of the state game commission; D. willfully mutilate, injure, deface or destroy any guidepost, notice, tablet, fence,

enclosure or work that is for the protection or ornamentation of a state park and

recreation area; E. light a fire in a state park and recreation area, except in those places authorized

for fires by the secretary, or willfully or carelessly permit any fire that is authorized

and that the person has lighted or caused to be lighted or under the person's charge

to spread or extend to or burn the shrubbery, trees, timber, ornaments or improvements

in a state park and recreation area or leave a campfire that the person has lighted

or that has been left in the person's charge unattended by a competent person without

extinguishing it; F. place in a state park and recreation area or affix to an object in a state park

and recreation area a word, character or device designed to advertise a business,

profession, article, thing, exhibition, matter or event without a written license

from the secretary permitting the person to do it; or G. violate a rule adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16, Article 2 NMSA 1978 when the violation has caused or contributed to the cause of an accident resulting

in injury or death to a person or disappearance of a person.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 16-2-32

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 16-2-32 cover?

Section 16-2-32 ("Criminal offenses; penalty") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 16-2-32?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 16-2-32" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 16-2-32 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.