A. Operating a chop shop consists of a person owning, operating, maintaining, controlling or conducting operations in a chop shop, who knows or should have known that it is a chop shop.B. Whoever commits operating a chop shop is guilty of a third degree felony.C. As used in this section:(1) 'chop shop' means a premises where a person possesses, receives, stores, disassembles or alters an unlawfully obtained motor vehicle or vehicle as defined in the Motor Vehicle Code [66-1-1 NMSA 1978], including the alteration or concealment of any identifying feature or number, including the manufacturer's serial number, engine number, decal or other distinguishing number or identification mark or number placed under assignment of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department; and (2) 'unlawfully obtained' means obtained by theft, fraud or deceit or obtained without the permission of the owner.D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a claim made pursuant to any other section of law.History: Laws 2022, ch. 56, § 49. ANNOTATIONSEffective dates. — Laws 2022, ch. 56, § 49 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. pursuant to any other section of law.History: Laws 2022, ch. 56, § 49. ANNOTATIONSEffective dates. — Laws 2022, ch. 56, § 49 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective May 18, 2022, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.
New Mexico Legal Code