A. It is unlawful to:
(1) willfully and without good cause neglect or refuse to report a death to law enforcement authorities or the office of the state or district medical investigator as required by law; or
(2) willfully and unnecessarily touch, remove or disturb any dead body required by law to be reported to the state or district medical investigator, or any article on or near the body or disturb its surroundings until authority is granted by the state, district or deputy medical investigator.
B. Any person violating this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
History: 1953 Comp., § 15-43-50, enacted by Laws 1961, ch. 91, § 8; 1971, ch. 112, § 9; 1973, ch. 286, § 9; 1975, ch. 7, § 3.
Cross references. — For duty to report deaths, see 24-11-5 NMSA 1978.
For sentencing for misdemeanors, see 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 24 - Health and Safety
Article 11 - Medical Investigations
Section 24-11-1 - Board of medical investigators; creation; membership; compensation.
Section 24-11-2 - Meetings; duties.
Section 24-11-3 - State medical investigator; qualifications; duties; office.
Section 24-11-4 - [References to coroner.]
Section 24-11-5 - Reports of violent death.
Section 24-11-6 - Death certificate; release of body; reports.
Section 24-11-7 - Examination; autopsy; inquest.
Section 24-11-8 - Reports to district attorney.