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, 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
Las Cruces Man, 40, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear and Battery Charges
KENNETH DELGADO | 4 charges
Las Cruces Man, 30, Booked on Property Damage and Concealing Identity Charges
RICARDO PICENA | 2 charges
Mesilla Park Man, 38, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Other Offenses
SERVANDO SALINAS | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 43, Booked on Warrant and Concealing Identity Charges
JOSE MELENDEZ | 4 charges
Taos Man, 43, Booked Into Doña Ana County on Multiple Felony Warrants
DONALD NUNEZ | 3 charges
Man, 27, Charged with Criminal Damage to Property, <$1000 in Doña Ana County
JOHN DOE | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 29, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear Warrants
RUBEN RODRIGUEZ | 4 charges
Las Cruces Man, 47, Charged with Resisting or Obstructing
TONY ALVAREZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 48, Booked on Dwi and Weapons Charges at Telshor Location
DETRICH JONES | 5 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 47, Charged with Shoplifting Under $100
RENE BACA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 38, Booked on Concealing Identity and Failure to Appear Charges
KAYLA ELLSTON | 4 charges
Mesilla Park Man, 34, Booked on Multiple Misdemeanor Charges in Las Cruces
MOISES GALLARDO | 5 charges
Las Cruces Man, 34, Booked on Felony Forgery and Dwi Charges
JESUS OLVERA | 6 charges
Las Cruces Man, 51, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Property Damage
JOHN DOE | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 52, Booked on Charges of Concealing Identity and Failure to Appear
PEDRO MARTINEZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 53, Booked on Probation Violation and Concealing Identity
ALFREDO PARDO | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 49, Booked on Felony Motor Vehicle and Fugitive Charges
TIMOTHY JAMES | 3 charges
Las Cruces Woman, 31, Booked on Charges of Trespass and Concealing Identity
JANE DOE | 2 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.