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Hidden camera laws by state

Hidden camera laws in New Mexico

The actual statute, in plain English — not a paraphrase of a paraphrase.

The statute

NMSA 1978 § 30-9-20 (Voyeurism Prohibited; Penalties)

What it prohibits

New Mexico bans intentionally using the unaided eye or an instrument — binoculars, camcorder, camera, or other electronic device — to view, photograph, or record another person’s intimate areas without their knowledge or consent, while they’re in a bedroom, bathroom, changing/fitting/dressing room, or tanning booth, or anywhere else a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, public or private.

Penalty

Misdemeanor — up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 1 year in jail. Fourth-degree felony if the victim is under 18 — up to $5,000 fine and/or up to 18 months.

This is general public information, not legal advice, verified against the statute text linked below as of this writing — legislatures amend these laws periodically (Florida renamed its own statute in 2024). If this matters for a real situation, read the current text yourself or talk to a lawyer: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-30/article-9/section-30-9-20/. Separately, recording audio of a conversation is governed by a different law (wiretap/eavesdropping statutes, which vary by state on whether one party or all parties must consent) — this page covers image/video capture only.

If you've actually found something, the statute matters less than what you do next: read the six steps here.

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Other states

North DakotaN.D.C.C. § 12.1-20-12.2 (Surreptitious Intrusion) OregonORS § 163.700 (Invasion of Personal Privacy in the Second Degree) Rhode IslandR.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 (Video Voyeurism) South DakotaSDCL § 22-21-4 (Use or Dissemination of Visual Recording or Photographic Device Without Consent) UtahUtah Code § 76-12-307 (Recorded or Photographed Voyeurism) Vermont13 V.S.A. § 2605 (Voyeurism) West VirginiaW. Va. Code § 61-8-28 (Criminal Invasion of Privacy) WyomingWyo. Stat. § 6-4-304 (Voyeurism; Penalties)