Texas Front License plate.

[Gunfighter13]

Originally Posted by babytiger

Sounds like the familiar "no license plate light" as PC for a stop.

Did you not know that is a DPS Felony.....lol.....lol.....

[Camaroman2012]

Originally Posted by Gunfighter13

Did you not know that is a DPS Felony.....lol.....lol.....

Lol, that's funny. I wonder why I see so many vehicles running around without rear license plate lights. I guess they don't know either. lol

[maldon]

I received a warning, and I was researching info on warnings when I ran across the language ommission in the law about the front plate.

The missing front plate was the only reason I was pulled over. The warning doesn't mention the code number or anything, just "OPERATE MOTOR VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATES (OR WITH ONE PLATE)".

Does that mean I should report this for the aforementioned violation of rights?

I *was* late to a band practice as a result

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Gunfighter13

As some may be able to tell I hate bad COPS they make our job harder to do because of what they do to the public.

Hopefully guys like you can weed them out for all of us. 99% are outstanding professionals and do a great job at keeping us all safe.

Just wish I could say 99% of the public you have to deal with were outstanding citizens.

Thanks for the info and for your public service.

[rx-hawk]

I have been pulled over for no front plate before. All you have to do is bring in photos of a front plate and by texas law you cannot pay more than a $10 "fee".

So just zip tie it on or use double sided tape, take and print the photos, and take 10 bucks to the courthouse.

[Madness11]

I went in today and told the clerk that i wanted to fight the ticket and have it dismissed and she said is it fixed and i said no. i see no reason to fix it being that the ticket is a moot point since there is no statute of penalty under the texas code for operating a motor vehicle with a missing or one license plate. The woman says to me they have it in a different section and its a class c misdemeanor with a fine of $140. I have since taken the ticket and my information to my lawyer and asked him to take care of it for me. I have a business to run and dont have time for petty shit like this. One might say put the front plate on the car so you dont have this issue. This day an age there are so many traffic cameras that with just a rear plate the cops can still find you regardless and a front plate missing. a front plate is a waste of material for the amount of vehicles that are on the road and you cant outrun the motorola.

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by Gunfighter13

To meet the requirements of an enforceable law the TC requires that the elements of the offense be stated, and level of the offense be stated, and fine amount be stated. The current Laws state the elements but do not have a class of offense or fine. This makes those codes mute and non enforceable.
Old code: TC 502.404
New codes: TC 502.473 and TC 504.943
Some Police departments have chosen to break the law and still enforce the old code. Making their actions a violation of “Official Oppression” Texas Penal Code sec 39.03. Until the laws are corrected in the next session of the legislature, officers will just have to bite their lips or something until then. Those officers that choose to abuse their powers may find themselves in a jail cell never again to wear the badge.

Originally Posted by Gunfighter13

Take it to the judge. Print out all the old and news TCs. Most likely the judge will dismiss the ticket for "Mistake of Law" on the officer’s part. There is case law on this already. Do your home work. Once the ticket is dismissed send a letter to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education asking for an investigation into the department and officer under PC 39.03. They will investigate and if found in violation the officer will lose his license or be suspended for a time. If that happens his department will terminate the officer for misconduct in office. Then get a lawyer and sue the Department for the violation of your rights. As some may be able to tell I hate bad COPS they make our job harder to do because of what they do to the public.

You sir, are awesome.

[Madness11]

I have read thoroughly and have come to find that they have created for a lack of better words and envelope to cover themselves and it is TC 502.471.

It states.

Sec. 502.471. GENERAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this chapter and no other penalty is prescribed for the violation.
(b) This section does not apply to a violation of Section 502.003, 502.042, 502.197, or 502.431.
(c) Unless otherwise specified, an offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

Now TC 502.473 falls under this category which makes it a punishable offense by applying a general fine and offense classification. Damnit now I have to go back up there and pay the damned fine unless my lawyer can work his magic.
It is a class "C" and for Willis Texas is a fine of $140. Just food for thought for anyone who sees a SUV state trooper in the Montgomery County area.

Edit: The only way I see people getting out of the ticket is by showing the judge only the section of TC 502.473 and try not to let the judge see 502.471 to make an attempt to catch them off guard and dismiss the charge. They will wise up to this which I am sure they have already. Its ok I will pay my fine with a effing smile on my face and not put it on my car.

[Gunfighter13]

Here is something to read.

http://www.tmcec.com/public/files/Fi...s-in-texas.pdf

[Gunfighter13]

This is the sticker the two plate violation is not in this chapter. 502.471 does not apply.

SUBCHAPTER K. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES

Sec. 502.471. GENERAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this chapter and no other penalty is prescribed for the violation.
(b) This section does not apply to a violation of Section 502.003, 502.042, 502.197, or 502.431.
(c) Unless otherwise specified, an offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.401 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 , Sec. 155, eff. January 1, 2012.


Sec. 502.472. OPERATION OF VEHICLE UNDER IMPROPER REGISTRATION. A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle that has not been registered or registered for a class other than that to which the vehicle belongs as required by law.

Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.402 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 , Sec. 156, eff. January 1, 2012.


Sec. 502.473. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT REGISTRATION INSIGNIA. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway during a registration period a motor vehicle that does not properly display the registration insignia issued by the department that establishes that the license plates have been validated for the period.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway during a registration period a road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display a registration insignia issued by the department that establishes that the vehicle is registered for the period.
(c) This section does not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a) if the defendant:
(1) shows that the motor vehicle was issued a registration insignia by the department that was attached to the motor vehicle, establishing that the vehicle was registered for the period during which the offense was committed; and
(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.404 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 , Sec. 157, eff. January 1, 2012.

[Gunfighter13]

This is the license plates No general penalty in this chapter.

Sec. 504.943. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway, during a registration period, a motor vehicle that does not display two license plates that:
(1) have been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) comply with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway during a registration period a road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display a license plate that:
(1) has been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) complies with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(c) This section does not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(1) if the defendant:
(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and
(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 , Sec. 221, eff. January 1, 2012.

[babytiger]

Originally Posted by Gunfighter13

This is the license plates No general penalty in this chapter.

Sec. 504.943. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway, during a registration period, a motor vehicle that does not display two license plates that:
(1) have been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) comply with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway during a registration period a road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display a license plate that:
(1) has been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) complies with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(c) This section does not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(1) if the defendant:
(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and
(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 , Sec. 221, eff. January 1, 2012.

So, bottom line. In Texas, if you get a ticket for no front plate you can affix the plate to the front most part of your vehicle before the court date and pay a penalty of no more than $10. Sounds simple.

[Shuffler]

I imagine that will work...... the first time.