A South Florida man spent a night in jail after being arrested over a license plate frame on his rental car, due to confusion surrounding Florida’s updated license plate law and its enforcement.
Demarquize Dawson was pulled over and arrested by Davie Police after an officer said the frame on his license plate partially obscured the first letter of the words “Sunshine State.”
“He said, ‘I’m arresting you because the “S” on your license plate is obscured — the “S” in Sunshine,’” Dawson said.
Dawson later shared a photo of the plate on social media, saying the arrest should never have happened. According to Florida law, drivers are allowed to have license plate frames as long as the numbers, letters, and registration decal are clearly visible.
An updated memo issued this week by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles clarified that frames may cover the top or bottom of a license plate as long as law enforcement can still identify the issuing state.
Following the arrest, Davie Police acknowledged the error, apologized to Dawson, and said the arrest was invalid.
“At the initial release of this updated law, the wording was vague, unclear and appeared to be open for misinterpretation,” the department said in a statement. “Since the release of a memo of clarification from the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association, our officers are educated on the application and use of this statute. Unfortunately, it appears this arrest was invalid and we extend our apologies to Mr. Dawson.”
To further address confusion, the Miami-Dade Tax Collector distributed a clarification flyer, and Davie Police publicly explained the updated guidance.
“As long as officers are able to read your numbers and see your registration sticker, you can have a frame,” said Davie Police spokesperson Officer Julia Ross. “If it’s partially covering where you can still see Florida or even part of ‘Sunshine State,’ you’re alright.”
The confusion stems from a state law that took effect Oct. 1, which prohibits any device that covers or alters a license plate. The law was originally aimed at tinted or obscured plate covers, which authorities say are commonly used to evade tolls or conceal stolen vehicles.
Dawson said the arrest caused significant distress. According to the arrest report, he was taken to a hospital after suffering a panic attack before being released from jail on his own recognizance.
“There was a big commotion in court on what’s right and what’s wrong about this new statute,” Dawson said. “Something needs to be done because that’s not right.”
What has also raised concern is the penalty change tied to the new law. Violations that were once considered non-criminal traffic infractions have been elevated to a second-degree misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
“You don’t need to throw out your plate frame,” Ross said. “As long as we can read your license plate and see your registration sticker, you’re fine.”
