7.727 — DISPLAY OF PLATE

Violations of "Statute 7.727" results in an Infraction and a fine of $250

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(a) Definitions

Display of plate refers to the proper and visible placement of a vehicle's license plate as required by law. The license plate must be mounted securely to the vehicle in a location where it is easily visible to other drivers, law enforcement, and pedestrians. The plate should be clearly legible and not obstructed by dirt, damage, or other objects. A motor vehicle must only display a rear plate in order for this charge to be viable. A front plate on a motor vehicle is not required by law.

(b) Elements

To establish the offense of improper display of a plate, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following elements:

• The defendant operated a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

• The vehicle displayed a license plate in an improper or illegal manner, such as being obscured, damaged, or not properly mounted.

• The improper display of the license plate created a risk of not identifying the vehicle.

(c) Defenses

Defenses against a charge of improper display of a plate may include:

• The license plate was temporarily obstructed or damaged, but was not intentionally concealed.

• The defendant was in the process of obtaining or replacing a valid license plate and had proper documentation.

• The vehicle was legally exempt from the requirement for displaying a plate (e.g., dealer plates or temporary tags).

(d) Aggravating Factors

The court may consider the following aggravating factors when determining the severity of the offense:

• The vehicle's license plate was purposefully obscured or removed to avoid identification by law enforcement.

• The vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run or other criminal activity, and the improper display of the plate hindered an investigation.

• The vehicle was in a location or situation where clear identification was critical, such as a high-security area or during a traffic stop.