SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson has signed legislation into law to crack down on auto theft.
The measure establishes tougher penalties for repeat offenses of auto theft, and the seriousness of the offense will no longer depend on the value of the vehicle that's stolen.
Under the new law, which takes effect in July, a first conviction of auto theft will be a fourth-degree felony. That's punishable by 18 months in prison.
A second offense will be a third-degree felony, which can carry a three-year prison sentence. It will be a second-degree felony - with a basic sentence of nine years - for three or more convictions of auto theft.
The same graduated penalties will apply to receiving or transferring stolen vehicles.
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