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, deprive another of their civil rights, intimidate or threaten another person, or hinder or prevent the detection, apprehension, or prosecution of a crime. The statute contains exceptions for religious observance, safety equipment, medical purposes, and lawful entertainment or theatrical productions.

Possible Punishment

Up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to $500.

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.

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