Section 30-12-12 - Disturbing a marked burial ground. - New Mexico Statutes

30-12-12. Disturbing a marked burial ground.

Disturbing a marked burial ground consists of knowingly and willfully disturbing or removing the remains, or any part of them, or any funerary object, material object or associated artifact of any person interred in any church, churchyard, cemetery or marked burial ground or knowingly and willfully procuring or employing any other person to disturb or remove the remains, or any part of them, or any funerary object, material object or artifact associated with any person interred in any church, churchyard, cemetery or marked burial ground, other than pursuant to an order of the district court, the provisions of Section 24-14-23 NMSA 1978 or as otherwise specifically permitted by law. As used in this section "marked burial ground" means any interment visibly marked according to traditional or customary practice.   

Whoever commits disturbing a marked burial ground is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment for a definite term of eighteen months or both.