Florida Man Arrested Over License Plate Frame Sparks Law Clarification

Hook paragraph

The Arrest

Demarquize Dawson was pulled over by Davie Police and spent a night in jail after his rental car’s license‑plate frame was cited for covering the first \”S\” in \”Sunshine State\”. He posted a photo of the plate on Instagram and said the officer arrested him because the \”S\” was obscured. The officer told him, \”I’m arresting you because the ‘S’ on your license plate is obscured. The ‘S’ in Sunshine.\” Dawson said he never should have been arrested.

The Law and the Memo

Florida’s new law, which took effect on Oct. 1, makes it illegal for anything that covers or alters a license plate. The original law was aimed at stopping tinted covers that can hide stolen vehicles or facilitate toll fraud. A memo issued Monday by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles clarified that drivers may have frames that cover the top or bottom of the plate as long as an officer can identify the state. The memo explained that as long as the registration sticker and the numbers are readable, a frame is allowed.

Police Response and Apology

After Dawson’s arrest, Davie Police released a statement saying the wording of the updated law was vague and could be misinterpreted. The department noted that a clarification memo from the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association had been provided to its officers, and that they were now educated on the statute’s application. The police said the arrest was invalid and extended apologies to Dawson. Officer Julia Ross, a spokesperson for the department, said, \”As long as officers are able to read your numbers and this registration sticker, you can have a frame. If it’s partially covering where you can partially see Florida or just halfway see ‘Sunshine State,’ you’re alright.\”

Clarifications from Local Agencies

The Miami‑Dade Tax Collector also sent out a flyer to clarify the new guidance, and Davie Police explained the updated rules before issuing the apology. Ross added, \”You don’t need to throw out your plate frame as long as we can still read your license plate and see your registration sticker.\” The flyer emphasized that the frame must not obscure the state name or the registration sticker.

Legal Consequences

The penalty for violating the new law has been raised from a non‑criminal traffic infraction to a second‑degree misdemeanor. A misdemeanor can carry up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. The change was intended to give the state stronger enforcement against illegal plate covers.

Dawson’s Perspective

According to the arrest report, Dawson went to the hospital after having a panic attack. He was okay and was later released from jail on his own recognizance. Dawson said, \”There was a big commotion in court on what’s right and what’s wrong about this new statute.\” He maintains that he was unjustly arrested for a frame that complied with the clarified rules.

Key Takeaways

• A Florida man was arrested for a license‑plate frame that covered a single letter, but a memo clarified that frames are allowed if the state and registration sticker remain visible.
• Davie Police apologized, citing a vague wording in the updated law and a clarification memo from the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association.
• The new law’s penalty was increased to a second‑degree misdemeanor, with up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The incident highlights how recent changes to Florida’s license‑plate regulations can create confusion for both motorists and law enforcement. As the state moves forward, clear communication from agencies will be essential to prevent similar misunderstandings.