Fraud $500 To $2500
Legal Definition
A person commits fraud when they intentionally deceive another by misrepresentation or a false promise, causing the victim to part with money, property, or something of value. The offense is classified by the amount of loss or value obtained. This charge applies when the amount involved is at least $500 but less than $2,500.
Possible Punishment
Basic sentence of 18 months imprisonment; fine up to $5,000. A mandatory period of parole follows release. The sentence may be enhanced if the defendant is a habitual offender or if other aggravating factors are present.
Local Context
New Mexico's fraud statute (also known as obtaining property by false pretenses) is tiered by dollar amount. Fraud involving less than $500 is a petty misdemeanor; $500 to $2,500 is a fourth degree felony; $2,500 to $20,000 is a third degree felony; and $20,000 or more is a second degree felony. The amount is determined by the total value obtained in a single scheme or course of conduct.
Property-Crime Cases in Doña Ana County
Property charges in New Mexico scale with dollar value and circumstances. The same shoplifting conduct can be a petty misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of what was taken, and burglary escalates sharply when the structure is a home or someone is inside. That is why our charge database lists several versions of larceny and burglary with different classifications.
Property cases also drive a large share of repeat bookings: failure to appear on an older larceny case frequently brings someone back into the detention center on a bench warrant alongside any new charge.
Related Guides
Misdemeanor vs. Felony in New Mexico: Sentences, Courts, and Consequences
How New Mexico separates petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and felony degrees: sentence ranges, jail vs. prison, habitual enhancements, and collateral costs.
Bench Warrants and Failure to Appear in New Mexico: How a Missed Court Date Becomes a Booking
What a bench warrant is, how it differs from an arrest warrant, why FTA bookings fill the Doña Ana County jail log, and how to clear a warrant before arrest.
Recent Arrests for This Charge (1)
Information provided for general reference. Statutory text is summarized and may not reflect the most recent amendments. All persons listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.