DAVIE, Fla. — A South Florida man says he was wrongfully arrested after police accused him of violating the state’s new license plate visibility law, highlighting widespread confusion over how the updated statute is enforced.
Arrest Over License Plate Frame
Demarquize Dawson said he was pulled over by Davie Police and spent a night in jail after an officer claimed the license plate frame on his rental car obscured part of the text on his Florida plate.
“He said, ‘I’m arresting you because the S on your license plate is obscured — the S in Sunshine,’” Dawson recalled.
Dawson later posted a photo of the plate on Instagram, showing that the first “S” in “Sunshine State” was partially covered by the frame.
Confusion Over New State Law
The Florida law, which took effect on October 1, prohibits “any cover, coating, or other substance” that obscures license plate information. Initially, officers interpreted it to include any frame that blocked words or designs, even partially.
However, according to a clarification memo issued Monday by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), drivers are permitted to use plate frames as long as the state name, letters, numbers, and registration decal are clearly visible and identifiable.
Police Apology and Clarification
Following Dawson’s arrest, Davie Police issued an apology, calling the arrest a “misinterpretation” of the new law.
“At the initial release of this updated law, the wording was vague and open for misinterpretation,” the department said in a statement. “Since the release of the clarification memo from the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, our officers have been educated on proper application of this statute. Unfortunately, it appears this arrest was invalid, and we extend our apologies to Mr. Dawson.”
Officer Julia Ross, a spokesperson for the department, reiterated that license plate frames are still allowed under the clarified rule.
“As long as officers can read your numbers and registration sticker, you can have a frame,” Ross said. “If it’s partially covering the top or bottom of the plate, and we can still identify the state, you’re fine.”
Law’s Broader Intent and Penalties
The original intent of the new statute was to crack down on tinted plate covers that obscure visibility for toll systems and law enforcement cameras, often used in fraud and stolen vehicle cases.
What’s different now is the penalty: violations are no longer minor traffic infractions but second-degree misdemeanors, carrying up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Dawson’s Response
Dawson said he suffered a panic attack during the arrest and was treated at a hospital before being released on his own recognizance. He hopes his case draws attention to how inconsistencies in the law’s rollout have affected drivers.
“There was a big commotion in court about what’s right and what’s wrong with this new statute,” Dawson said. “Something needs to be done because that’s not right.”
State officials say the latest clarification should prevent further wrongful arrests as enforcement agencies adjust their understanding of the new law.
Stay with HonkNews.com for continued coverage on Florida’s license plate visibility law and other state policy updates affecting drivers.