[Failure to release; penalty; civil liability.]

Any person who shall be guilty of violating the preceding section [48-7-4 NMSA 1978], upon conviction before any justice of the peace [magistrate] or district court having jurisdiction of the same shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten [($10.00)] nor more than twenty-five dollars [($25.00)], and shall be liable in a civil action to the owner of such real estate for all costs of clearing the title to said property including a reasonable attorney's fee. History: Laws 1909, ch. 51, § 2; Code 1915, § 4777; C.S. 1929, § 117-121; 1941 Comp., § 63-405; 1953 Comp., § 61-7-5.