{1} Defendant was convicted of one count of theft of identity and four felony counts of violating the Remote Financial Service Unit Act (RFSUA), NMSA 1978, Section 58-16-16(B) (1990), after he used a stolen debit card to purchase and attempt to purchase goods at several retail stores. Defendant appeals his convictions, arguing that he should have been charged with a single petty misdemean- or under the fraudulent use of a credit card statute, NMSA 1978, Section 30-16-33(B) (2006), rather than being charged under RFSUA. Defendant also contends that his convictions are a violation of the Eighth Amendment and equal protection clauses of the United States Constitution and the New Mexico Constitution, that there is insufficient
BACKGROUND
{2} Kathryn Sando’s house was burglarized early one morning. Her purse and debit cards were among the items stolen from her home. One of the debit cards had Sando’s name on it and was tied to her regular checking account, while the other was a temporary card which had “preferred customer” on it instead of a name and was tied to a different bank account.
{3} On the same morning that the burglary took place, Defendant used the card which had the name “Kathryn Sando” on it to make $83 worth of purchases at two Allsup’s Convenience Stores and at a Lowe’s Hardware Store. He then attempted to make a purchase at Walgreens with the same card, but the card was declined after Defendant tried several different incorrect pin number combinations.
{4} A Walgreens’ manager notified police about the suspicious and unsuccessful transactions. He gave police a license plate number which led them to a ear belonging to Defendant’s girlfriend. Inside the ear, police found an Allsup’s receipt for a purchase made that morning with a debit card ending in the same four numbers as Sando’s stolen card. Defendant was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. After being read his Miranda rights, Defendant admitted that he used a card, that he was at two Allsup’s stores and Walgreens, but he denied that he was involved in a burglary. Defendant also stated that he thought the card he used was a “debit card.” Video recordings showing Defendant making the debit card transactions at the Allsup’s stores, Lowe’s, and Walgreens were admitted into evidence and played for the jury.
{5} The jury found Defendant guilty of one count of theft of identity and four counts of violation of RFSUA. The district court sentenced Defendant to a term of eighteen months for each count in violation of the RFSUA for a total of six years. For the theft of identity violation, Defendant received an additional eighteen months, but he does not appeal that conviction. The district court suspended five-and-one-half years of Defendant’s sentence, leaving a sentence of two years of incarceration for the five felonies.
{6} Defendant appeals his RFSUA convictions, arguing that he was incorrectly charged and that his sentence is unconstitutional.
DISCUSSION
Defendant Was Properly Charged With Fraudulent Use of a Debit Card Under RFSUA
{7} Defendant contends that he was improperly convicted of four fourth degree felonies for violations of RFSUA when he would have been convicted of only a single petty misdemeanor if he had been charged with the same conduct under the fraudulent use of a credit card statute, § 30-16-33. Specifically, he argues that fraudulent use of a debit card can be punished under either statute because the debit card he used is a “credit card” within the meaning of Section 30-16-33. Therefore, he asserts that the Legislature must have intended that his actions be punished under Section 30-16-33. We disagree.
{8} The determination of whether a debit card is a credit card for purposes of Section 30-16-33 is an issue of statutory interpretation that we review de novo. State v. Romero,
{9} Section 30-16-33(B) provides that “[wjhoever commits fraudulent use of a credit card when the value of the property or service obtained is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or less in any consecutive six-month period is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.” For purposes of this section, a “credit card” is defined as
any instrument or device, whether known as a credit card, credit plate, charge card or by any other name, issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of the cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services or anything else of value, either on credit or in consideration of an undertaking or guarantee by the issuer of the payment of a check drawn by the cardholder [•]
NMSA 1978, § 30-16-25(B)(l) (1999) (emphasis added). We note that the plain language of the statute limits the application of Section 30-16-33 to those purchases made with a card “on credit” or those purchases made “in consideration of an undertaking or guarantee by the issuer of the payment of a check drawn by the cardholder.” Section 30-16-25(B)(l).
{10} In State v. Martinez,
{11} In this case, evidence was presented that debit cards are tied to individual checking accounts, as opposed to lines of credit or guarantee of payment by the issuing bank. Sherry DeFoor, the banking manager at Bank of America, testified that a “debit card” is different from a “credit card” because a “credit card” relies on a line of credit. In contrast, a “debit card” is tied to the individual cardholder’s checking account, and when the debit card is used, the money is taken directly out of that checking account. DeFoor further testified that the unauthorized use of Sando’s “debit card” resulted in a direct deduction from Sando’s available funds in her checking account.
{12} The bank is not lending any funds to Sando or guaranteeing any payment to a third party when she initiates a debit card transaction. Based on our reading of the plain language of Section 30-16-33, the holding in Martinez, and the evidence presented, we conclude that a “debit card” does not meet the statutory definition of a “credit card,” and that the two terms cannot be used interchangeably in this ease. Consequently, contrary to Defendant’s assertion that he could have been charged under either statute, we determine that Defendant’s use of Sando’s debit card could only be charged under RFSUA and not under the fraudulent use of a credit card statute, § 30-16-33.
{13} Consistent with our analysis, the Washington Supreme Court interpreted a virtually identical state statute in the case of Washington v. Standifer,
[c]ommon experience indicates that this portion of the statute was intended to describethe card issued by a bank with which the holder can obtain money, goods or services from a seller or provider thereof in consideration of the issuer’s promise to pay the seller or provider, then looking to the cardholder for payment.
Id. Standifer further supports our determination that Section 30-16-33 does not encompass the unauthorized use of a checking account debit card.
{14} Unlike Section 30-16-33, RFSUA contemplates prosecution specifically for the unauthorized use of a debit card. Section 58-16-16(B) provides that “[a]ny person who makes an unauthorized withdrawal from the account of another person with a financial institution, or who steals the card of another, or who makes an unauthorized use of the card of another is guilty of a fourth degree felony.” For purposes of RFSUA, a “card” is defined as
a plastic card or other instrument or any other access device issued by a financial institution or by a state agency to a cardholder that enables the cardholder to have access to and that processes transactions against one or more accounts, and the term shall be used when, referring to either an ATM access card, a debit card, a credit card identifying a cardholder who has established a pre-approved credit line with the issuer of the credit card or an EBT card issued to a recipient of public assistance benefits.
NMSA 1978, § 58 — 16—3 (A) (9) (1999) (emphasis added).
{15} The plain language of this broader definition of a “card” refers to different types of cards and includes the statute’s application to the use of a debit card, a credit card, or an EBT card, among others. Accordingly, we conclude that Defendant’s use of a debit card was properly charged under RFSUA.
{16} Defendant next argues that Section 30-16-33 and RFSUA are in conflict and to resolve the conflict, we must apply the more specific, later-enacted Section 30-16-33. However, “[t]he general/speeific statute rule only applies when two or more statutes have conflicting provisions concerning the same matter.” State v. Santillanes,
{17} Defendant further contends that the Legislature could not have intended that punishment for the unauthorized use of a debit card would be harsher than the unauthorized use of a credit card and, as a result, this Court should not be bound by “a formalistic and mechanical statutory construction when the results would be absurd, unreasonable, or contrary to the spirit of the statute.” See State v. Smith,
{18} First, unlike the fraudulent use of a credit card, the fraudulent use of a debit card has immediate consequences for the victim as it causes the victim’s checking account to be debited immediately. Furthermore, we agree that a person who commits fraudulent use of a debit card is guilty of a fourth-degree felony regardless of the amount involved. Section 58-16-16(B). However, punishment for a person who commits fraudulent use of a credit card can be far harsher depending on the amount of the transaction. See § 30-16-33(E), (F) (stating that a person who commits a fraudulent credit card transaction in an amount over $2500 is guilty of a third degree felony; if the amount is over $20,000, the person is guilty of a second degree felony). Our interpretation of the plain meaning of RFSUA comports with our principles of statutory construction. See State v. Lucero,
{19} Defendant contends that the Legislature may have overlooked RFSUA when it changed the penalty structure for property crimes in the penalty code in 2006. This argument is based on Defendant’s belief that the statutes are in conflict and that they punish the same behavior. We have already concluded that Section 30-16-33 is not in conflict with RFSUA for purposes of punishing the unauthorized use of a debit card. Any potential conflict between RFSUA and Section 30-6-33 in the context of legislative confusion regarding multiple punishments for the use of a credit card must be addressed in the appropriate case actually involving the use of a credit card. See State v. Ware,
{20} Alternatively, Defendant urges us to apply the rule of lenity to his case. “The rule of lenity counsels that criminal statutes should be interpreted in the defendant’s favor when insurmountable ambiguity persists regarding the intended scope of a criminal statute.” State v. Ogden,
Defendant’s Due Process Rights Under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico Have Not Been Violated
{21} Defendant argues that his due process rights guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico have been violated because he was not given a fair and adequate warning about what conduct was prohibited or how he would be charged. U.S. Const, amend. XIV; N.M. Const, art. II, § 18. We view this argument as a void for vagueness argument. The State asserts that Defendant failed to preserve this argument. We consider Defendant’s argument even if he failed to preserve it. See Schneider Nat’l, Inc. v. State Taxation & Revenue Dep’t,
{22} A statute may be void for vague ness “if [its] meaning is so uncertain that the court is unable, by the application of known and accepted rules of construction, to determine what the [Legislature intended with any reasonable degree of certainty.” Schneider Nat’l,
Defendant Failed To Preserve His Argument That His Prosecution and Convictions Under RFSUA Violate Equal Protection as Guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico
{23} Defendant asserts that his convictions under RFSUA violate equal protection as guaranteed by both the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico. See U.S. Const, amend. XIV; N.M. Const, art. II, § 18. However, we do not address this argument as he failed to preserve it for appellate review. See State v. Wyman,
There Is Sufficient Evidence to Support the Jury’s Finding That Defendant “Used” the Debit Card at Walgreens
{24} Defendant asserts that there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to sustain his conviction for the “use” of Sando’s debit card at Walgreens. “When evaluating the sufficiency of evidence to support a conviction, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, resolving all conflicts and indulging all permissible inferences to uphold a verdict of conviction.” State v. Sanders,
the [SJtate must prove to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt each of the following elements of the crime:
1. [DJefendant used a card belonging to Kathryn Sando at Walgreens;
2. [DJefendant used the card without Kathryn Sando’s consent;
3. This happened in New Mexico on or about the 26th day of September, 2007.
(Emphasis added).
{25} The evidence introduced at trial was as follows. The State introduced two receipts showing attempted purchases with Sando’s debit card at Walgreens. The State also presented evidence that Defendant entered a pin number combination three times at the register at Walgreens to try to make a purchase. In addition, the State played a surveillance camera recording showing the attempted debit card transactions at Walgreens to the jury. Finally, Defendant told police that he used a card at Walgreens, that he entered a PIN number three times, and that the card was not accepted.
{26} In this ease, considering the evidence “in the light most favorable to the ... prevailing party, indulging all reasonable inferences in support of the trial court’s ruling, and disregarding all evidence and inferences to the contrary,” we conclude that there was sufficient evidence presented that Defendant “used” Sando’s card at Walgreens. See State v. Verdugo,
{27} Defendant further relies on Verdugo to assert that there was insufficient evidence that he “used” Sando’s debit card at Walgreens. We are not persuaded. The question in Verdugo was whether there had been sufficient evidence presented to sustain a conviction for attempted violation of making an “unauthorized withdrawal from the account of another person” under RFSUA. Section 58-16-16(B); Verdugo,
Defendant’s Sentence Does Not Constitute Cruel and Unusual Punishment
{28} Defendant argues that his seven-and-one-half-year sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 13 of the New Mexico Constitution. Defendant concedes that he failed to preserve this argument, and we therefore only review this claim for fundamental error. See Rule 12-216(B)(2) NMRA (stating that an appellate court may consider jurisdictional questions and questions involving fundamental error even where the party failed to preserve those issues); State v. Trujillo,
{29} “The doctrine of fundamental error applies only under exceptional circumstances and only to prevent a miscarriage of justice.” State v. Barber,
{30} Defendant was convicted of violating RFSUA on four counts, along with a fifth count for identity theft and, therefore, he accumulated five fourth-degree felonies for his conduct on September 26, 2007. He was sentenced to eighteen months for each felony conviction for a total of seven-and-one-half years. The district court reduced Defendant’s sentence to two years of incarceration. Although Defendant is a habitual offender, the State did not request, and the district court did not impose, an increased sentence based on this status.
{31} Defendant argues that his sentence is cruel and unusual because it is longer than the sentence for Section 30-16-33, for fraudulent use of a credit card for less than $250 and because it is longer than the sentence he would have received had he stolen $83 in cash instead of using Sando’s debit card. When the length of a sentence is
{32} Defendant argues that his sentence is disproportionate to the sentence he would have received had he only been charged under the fraudulent use of a credit card statute. However, as we have discussed above, the Legislature has distinguished the conduct of unauthorized use of a debit card from the unauthorized use of a credit card, such that it is not the same conduct, and violations of each statute receive different punishments. In addition, a finite amount of cash is easily distinguishable from a debit card where Defendant can potentially access the entire balance in a person’s checking account. The potential for taking larger amounts of money from an individual’s bank account would support a broader legislative prerogative in setting a more severe penalty. Finally, Defendant’s sentence is not disproportional to the crimes of using Sando’s debit card four times, and the sentence is within the statutory parameters provided for by the Legislature for violation of RFSUA. His sentence did not invite fundamental error.
{33} As a practical matter, all but two years of Defendant’s sentence was suspended. Assuming Defendant had been charged with a petty misdemeanor, he could have been sentenced up to six months for each offense. As we have noted, he was sentenced to eighteen months on the fourth degree felony conviction for identity theft, and he did not appeal that conviction. The combination of his sentence for the identity theft conviction coupled with four petty misdemeanor offenses of six months would have totaled in excess of two years and resulted in a sentence that could have exceeded the incarceration time Defendant actually received in this case.
{34} On appeal, Defendant contends that the New Mexico Constitution affords him greater protections from cruel and unusual punishment than the United States Constitution. In order to preserve such a claim, Defendant would have needed to “assert at trial that the state constitution should be interpreted more broadly and provide reasons for the requested departure.” State v. Cardenas-Alvarez,
The Amended Judgment and Sentence Must Be Further Amended
{35} Defendant argues, and the State concedes, that the Amended Judgment and Sentence (J & S), filed on May 20, 2009, contains two errors. First, Count 5 must be changed from fraudulent use of a credit card without consent of cardholder ($300 or less) to show conviction under Section 58-16-16 for violation of the RFSUA. Second, the amended J & S shows that Defendant was convicted pursuant to a guilty plea when, in fact, he was convicted after a jury trial. The State has indicated that it will file an amended J & S. To the extent that it has not yet done so, we remand with instructions that an amended judgment and sentence be entered consistent with our decision herein.
CONCLUSION
{36} For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the district court. We further remand for the entry of an amended judgment and sentence.
{37} IT IS SO ORDERED.