N.M. Stat. § 31-18B-3
Hate crimes; noncapital felonies, misdemeanors or petty
misdemeanors committed because of the victim's actual or
perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age,
disability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity; alteration
of basic sentence.
A. When a separate finding of fact by the court or jury shows beyond a reasonable
doubt that an offender committed a noncapital felony motivated by hate, the basic
sentence of imprisonment prescribed for the offense in Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978
may be increased by one year. An increase in the basic sentence of imprisonment
pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be in addition to an increase in a
basic sentence prescribed for the offense in Section 31-18-17 NMSA 1978. A sentence
imposed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may include an alternative
sentence that requires community service, treatment, education or any combination
thereof. The court may suspend or defer any or all of the sentence or grant a conditional
discharge, unless otherwise provided by law.
B. If a finding was entered in a previous case that the offender was convicted for
committing a crime that was motivated by hate, and if a separate finding of fact by the
court or jury shows beyond a reasonable doubt that in the instant case the offender
committed a noncapital felony that was motivated by hate, the basic sentence of
imprisonment prescribed for the offense in Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978 may be
increased by two years. An increase in the basic sentence of imprisonment pursuant to
the provisions of this subsection shall be in addition to an increase in a basic sentence
prescribed for the offense in Section 31-18-17 NMSA 1978. A sentence imposed
pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may include an alternative sentence that
requires community service, treatment, education or any combination thereof. The court
may suspend or defer any or all of the sentence, or grant a conditional discharge unless
otherwise provided by law.
C. If the case is tried before a jury and if a prima facie case has been established
showing that in the commission of the offense the offender was motivated by hate, the
court shall submit the issue to the jury by special interrogatory. If the case is tried by the
court and if a prima facie case has been established showing that in the commission of
the offense the offender was motivated by hate, the court shall decide the issue and
shall make a separate finding of fact regarding the issue. If the court or jury determines
that the offender is guilty of the crime and finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the
offender was motivated by hate, the court shall include that determination in the
judgment and sentence.
D. When a petty misdemeanor or a misdemeanor is motivated by hate, the basic
sentence of imprisonment prescribed for the offense in Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978
may include an alternative sentence that requires community service, treatment,
education or any combination thereof. The court may suspend or defer any or all of the
sentence or grant a conditional discharge, unless otherwise provided by law.