New Mexico's unusual laws, including penalties for tripping a horse

Unusual regulations in New Mexico encompass the national anthem, public duels, and additional provisions.

New Mexico's unusual laws, including penalties for tripping a horse
New Mexico's unusual laws, including penalties for tripping a horse

Each state has its own peculiar, bewildering laws that leave you questioning their origin and justification.

Some of the unusual laws in states have been abolished or were not actual laws, but merely rumors that spread.

In the U.S., strange laws can be discovered with a quick online search.

Person being put in handcuffs
Among the strange laws in New Mexico include ones involving tripping a horse and calling for a duel. (iStock)

In New Mexico, some of the most unusual laws include the requirement to play the national anthem and severe consequences for horse tripping.

Read more about a handful of weird laws in New Mexico below.

New Mexico still has a law that prohibits duels in the state.

A planned fight between two individuals to settle a disagreement was an ancient duel.

New Mexico is one U.S. state that explicitly bans duels in law.

Two knights duel
New Mexico explicitly describes and prohibits duels in state law. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The dueling law in New Mexico is detailed in Chapter 30 of the state's statutes, specifically in Criminal Offenses § 30-20-11, as per FindLaw.com.

In the legal system, a duel is defined as a person issuing a written or verbal challenge to another person to fight with a deadly weapon, whether or not a duel actually takes place. It also includes accepting such a challenge, engaging in or fighting a duel with a deadly weapon, and aiding, encouraging, or seconding either party in a duel where deadly weapons are used.

According to the statute, those who commit a crime are "charged with a fourth degree felony."

In New Mexico, there is a puzzling law that imposes a penalty for tripping a horse.

According to Justia.com, the specifics of this law can be found in New Mexico Statute § 30-18-11.

According to the law, tripping an equine with an intentional use of a wire, pole, stick, rope, or any other object to cause it to lose balance or fall is considered unlawful, for the purpose of sport or entertainment.

A horse wearing a blanket
Tripping a horse in New Mexico is against the law, and causing injury or death is a fourth-degree felony. (iStock)

An equine can be classified as a donkey, horse, pony, mule, or hinny under the law.

The provisions of Subsection A of this section do not apply to laying an equine down for medical or identification purposes, as stated by the law.

If a horse is injured due to a violation of this law, the penalty will be more severe, and the offender will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

According to the law, committing unlawful tripping of an equine that results in maiming, crippling, or death of the equine is considered a fourth degree felony.

Several U.S. states have legislation concerning the national anthem. One of these states is New Mexico.

It is illegal in New Mexico to use the national anthem or the state anthem, "Oh Fair New Mexico," improperly.

According to Justia.com, this law is detailed in New Mexico Statute § 30-21-5.

American flag stock image
Those who "improperly use" the national anthem, or the state anthem of New Mexico, are guilty of a petty misdemeanor, according to state law. (iStock)

In New Mexico, it is illegal to sing or play "The Star Spangled Banner" or "Oh Fair New Mexico" in public places or gatherings except as a standalone composition or number.

Those who break the law are guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

by Ashlyn Messier

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