Concealing Identity
Legal Definition
A person commits concealing identity by wearing a mask, hood, or device that conceals the face in a public place with the intent to conceal their identity, intimidate another person, or prevent identification during the commission of a crime. The statute provides exceptions for religious or ceremonial purposes, safety equipment, medical reasons, and lawful entertainment or theatrical productions.
Possible Punishment
Up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to $500.
Local Context
This offense targets the deliberate concealment of identity in public with unlawful intent, not the mere wearing of face coverings for legitimate purposes. It is often charged in connection with other offenses where concealment facilitated criminal activity or intimidation.
Public-Order Cases in Doña Ana County
Disorderly conduct, resisting or obstructing an officer, and giving false identification are classic add-on charges: they frequently ride along with something else in a booking rather than standing alone. Most are petty misdemeanors, the lowest tier of New Mexico offenses, with maximum exposure measured in months rather than years.
Because these charges often arise from chaotic street encounters, how a person behaves during the arrest matters enormously. Resisting is a separate crime even when the underlying stop goes nowhere, which is why knowing your rights, and asserting them calmly, is the practical advice every attorney gives.
Related Guides
Your Rights When Arrested in New Mexico: Silence, Searches, and Counsel
What Miranda actually requires, when you must identify yourself, search consent rules, and why you should never resist arrest or talk on recorded jail calls.
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.
Recent Arrests for This Charge (30)
Las Cruces Man, 24, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear and Misdemeanor Charges
ALEX HERNANDEZ | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 26, Booked on Concealing Identity Charge Near I-25
JONAH ORTIZ | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 33, Booked on Multiple Misdemeanor Charges Including Concealing Identity
ALEXANDRO GALLEGOS | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 36, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Resisting
ALEXANDER OGBURN | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 45, Booked on Concealing Identity and Trespass Charges
MIGUEL GRIJALVA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 39, Booked on Felony Vehicle Theft and Concealing Identity Charges
ANTHONY DELGADO | 4 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 32, Booked on Suspicion of Concealing Identity at Nmsu
WENDY PINEDO | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 36, Booked on Concealing Identity Charges at Nmsu Lot 38
JOSE ESPARZA | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 35, Booked on Felony Property Damage and Conspiracy Charges
MICHAEL HOLGUIN | 6 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 29, Booked on Disorderly Conduct and Concealing Identity
ESPERANZA CHAIREZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 30, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear and Trespassing Charges
SALVADOR CHAVEZ | 3 charges
Doña Ana County Man, 34, Booked on Felony Registration and Battery Charges
SAMUEL NUNEZ-RUIZ | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 44, Booked on Charges of Criminal Trespass and Concealing Identity
ANDRES CALDERON | 2 charges
Anthony Woman, 45, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Failure to Appear
VERONICA GONZALES | 2 charges
Albuquerque Man, 40, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Concealing Identity Charges
GONZALO VILLA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 32, Booked on Burglary and Felony Shoplifting Charges
KEVIN GONZALES | 8 charges
Las Cruces Man, 34, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear and Concealing Identity
STEVEN MONTOYA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 55, Booked on Petty Misdemeanor Concealing Identity Charge
JOHN DOE | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 28, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Trespass
JOHN DOE | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 49, Booked on Concealing Identity Charge at Nmsu Campus
RUDY ARAGON | 1 charge
Las Cruces Woman, 31, Booked on Concealing Identity Charge
YVETTE CARRILLO | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 24, Booked on Failure to Appear and Concealing Identity
JAYONNE ARNOLD | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 29, Booked on Concealing Identity and Resisting Charges
SEMAJAE STARK | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 48, Booked on Numerous Failure to Appear Warrants
JAMES HLAVATY | 13 charges
Las Cruces Man, 30, Booked on Concealing Identity and Failure to Appear Charges
ALBERT ONTIVEROS | 3 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 36, Booked on Charges of Non-Residential Burglary and Concealing Identity
NICHOLE CHAVEZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 24, Booked on Felony Probation Violation and Concealing Identity
MICHAEL MEDINA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 25, Booked on Concealing Identity and Failure to Appear Charges
DANNY PERKINS | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 41, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Resisting
MATHEW GALLEGOS | 2 charges
Mesilla Man, 35, Booked on Charges of Assault on a Peace Officer and Resisting
JONATHAN CHAVEZ | 3 charges
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.