Federal and State Legal Sanctions
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Possession/Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
Possession/consumption of alcohol by persons not 21 years of age violates New Mexico law, and can be punishable by up to six (6) months in the county jail and a $500 fine.
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol abuse is subject to penalties specified by the Liquor Control Act. A DWI (Driving While Under the Influence) conviction can result in a fine up to $1,500 and/or imprisonment up to 364 days for a 1st offense, prosecution for vehicular homicide, and/or license revocation and vehicle impoundment.
New Mexico Legal Sanctions for Controlled Substances
The New Mexico Legislature has enacted numerous laws concerning possession and trafficking of controlled substances. The most abused controlled substances are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamines. Fines and prison sentences vary according to the quantity of drugs involved and whether first or repeat offense.
Fines for possession of marijuana range from not less than $50 to $5,000. Prison sentences range from fifteen (15) days to eighteen (18) months. The fine for trafficking marijuana is $5,000; prison sentences for trafficking range from eighteen (18) months to three (3) years.
The fine for possession of cocaine and heroin is $5,000, and the prison sentence is eighteen (18) months. Fines for trafficking cocaine and heroin range from $10,000 to $15,000. Prison sentences for trafficking are nine (9) years for a first offense and eighteen (18) years for a repeat offense.
The fine for possession of LSD and amphetamines is $1,000 and the prison sentence is up to one (1) year. Trafficking LSD and amphetamines carry a fine of $5,000 and a prison sentence of three (3) years.
Federal Legal Sanctions
Federal trafficking penalties for methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, PCP, LSD, Fentanyl, and Fentanyl Analogue vary depending on the quantity of drugs involved and whether the offense is the first or a repeat offense. Prison sentences range from five (5) years to life. Fines for trafficking in these drugs range from $2 million to $8 million. Federal trafficking penalties for marijuana range from ten (10) years to life. Fines for trafficking in these drugs range from $2 million to $8 million.
