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Attaching License Plate or Tag Not Assigned in Florida

Jacksonville Attaching License Plate or Tag Not Assigned Attorney

Under Florida law, it is a criminal offense to attach a license plate or license tag to a vehicle when such plate or tag has not been lawfully assigned to that vehicle. If you have been cited in Jacksonville, FL for attaching a license plate or tag not assigned to your vehicle, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Hussein & Webber, PL. Our Jacksonville Attaching License Plate / Tag Not Assigned Attorney can raise defenses to fight the charge and avoid a criminal conviction.

Is Attaching a License Plate or Tag Not Assigned a Criminal Offense in Florida?

Yes. Under Section 320.261, Florida Statutes, it is a criminal offense for a person to knowingly attach to any motor vehicle (or mobile home) a registration license plate or a validation sticker if the plate or sticker was not issued and assigned or lawfully transferred to such vehicle.

The elements of this criminal offense in Florida consist of the following:

(1) the accused attached a registration license plate or validation sticker to a vehicle,

(2) the registration license plate or validation sticker was not lawfully issued and assigned to that vehicle, and

(3) the accused knew that the plate or sticker was not lawfully issued and assigned to the vehicle.

In Jacksonville, FL, knowingly attaching an unassigned license plate, tag, or validation sticker to a vehicle is a second degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to sixty days in jail.

Are There Defenses to a Charge of Attaching a License Plate Not Assigned?

Yes. If properly raised, there are numerous defenses available in Florida to contest this type of charge. With the assistance of a qualified attorney, an accused should almost never plead to the offense.

Factually, it is difficult for the prosecution to prove either that the defendant himself attached the tag, plate, or sticker, or that the defendant knew the tag, plate, or sticker was not assigned to the vehicle. This, of course, assumes that the proper evidentiary objections and arguments are made.

Attaching a plate or tag not assigned is also highly defendable for the simple reason that most Florida misdemeanor prosecutors lack the diligence and know-how to properly prove the charge. Again, this assumes that proper evidentiary objections are made and that the case is defended with a working knowledge of recent Florida case law.

If you have been charged with Attaching a License Plate, Tag, or Validation Sticker not Assigned to your vehicle in Jacksonville, FL, contact Hussein & Webber, PL today. Our Jacksonville criminal defense attorney will contest the charge on your behalf and work towards a dismissal or other resolution that avoids a criminal conviction. Call us today for a free consultation.