Criminal Trespass
Legal Definition
A person commits criminal trespass by knowingly entering or remaining on real property of another without permission or legal authority. The offense includes entering property after being told not to, remaining after being asked to leave, or entering when notice against trespass is given by posting, fencing, or other means reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
Possible Punishment
Up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to $500. Criminal trespass is a petty misdemeanor under New Mexico law.
Local Context
Notice against trespass may be actual (verbal or written warning) or constructive (signs, fences, purple paint marks on trees or posts). The statute applies to all types of real property, including land, buildings, and other structures. Certain aggravated forms of trespass—such as trespass with intent to commit a felony or trespass on critical infrastructure—may be charged under separate, more serious statutes.
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 (30)
Las Cruces Man, 34, Booked on Burglary and Drug Possession Charges
MICHAEL GRUBBS | 5 charges
Las Cruces Man, 37, Booked on Burglary and Conspiracy Charges
IVEY BLACK | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 49, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge
DAMIAN JIMENEZ | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 37, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Multiple Warrants
JONATHAN THOMAS | 7 charges
Olathe, Co Man, 50, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge in Las Cruces
MICHAEL SICOTTE | 2 charges
Santa Fe Man, 32, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge in Las Cruces
DAYSI GARDEA | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 44, Booked on Felony and Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Charges
ANDRES CALDERON | 7 charges
Sunland Park Man, 30, Booked on Misdemeanor Criminal Trespass Charge
DANIEL GARCIA | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 68, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge at El Paseo Address
GREGORY HUPPERT | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 20, Booked on Aggravated Dwi and Collision Charges
X-AVIER RAEL | 4 charges
Las Cruces Man, 30, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Failure to Appear Charges
JACOB HERNANDEZ | 4 charges
Las Cruces Man, 31, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge at Scoggins Avenue
SAUL HERNANDEZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 53, Booked on Felony Warrant and Resisting Charges
STEVEN TREJO | 4 charges
Las Cruces Man, 38, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Paraphernalia Charges
JAIME HERNANDEZ | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 37, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge in Hatch
CHRISTOPHER MARTINEZ | 1 charge
Deming Man, 61, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge in Doña Ana County
TONY MAYNEZ | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 31, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge at International Mall
ANTHONY DURAN | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 68, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge
GREGORY HUPPERT | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 48, Booked on Numerous Failure to Appear Warrants
JAMES HLAVATY | 13 charges
Las Cruces Man, 27, Booked on Aggravated Dwi and Criminal Trespass Charges
GERMAN ROMERO | 3 charges
Mesilla Park Man, 30, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Failure to Appear
ANDREW LOZOYA | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 31, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge
ANTHONY DURAN | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 43, Booked on Burglary and Shoplifting Charges
EDUARDO VERSAILLES | 6 charges
Las Cruces Man, 55, Booked on Criminal Trespass and Noise Charges
ARTHUR LARA | 2 charges
Las Cruces Man, 37, Booked on Felony Failure to Appear and Larceny Charges
JOSE CARBAJAL | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 40, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge at Lohman Avenue Location
SHAWN GANNON | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 68, Booked on Disorderly Conduct Charge
HERALD MIRANDA | 3 charges
Las Cruces Man, 35, Booked on Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Charge
CHRISTIAN MIRANDA | 8 charges
Alamogordo Man, 36, Booked on Criminal Trespass Charge in Las Cruces
ANTHONY STALLWORTH | 1 charge
Las Cruces Man, 63, Booked on Misdemeanor Criminal Trespass Charge
LARRY SOSA | 1 charge
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.