TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

[TexanMark]

While driving (yes, illegally) to see my Father, whom I hadn't seen in several months for his birthday, I was pulled over for having my license plate in my windshield. When he checked my license, he saw that it was suspended. He arrested me and took me to jail.
I'd been caught once before, but I was driving to see my mother who'd attempted suicide and was in the ICU...I made no apologies for it, was written a ticket and let go. I'm told that this subsequent event was now a class B misdemeanor and I was to be arrested for it. Ok, fine...but I was pulled over this time for having my license plate in my front windshield. He even put it down as the warning on the ticket and can surely be seen on the video holding the license plate because he asked to see it. I've read up and found that it isn't illegal to have my license plate in the front windshield in Texas. I'm only required to have one displayed somewhere in the back and somewhere in the front.
Being that I was wrongfully pulled over, can I fight this? Yes, I know I'm looking for a way out of accepting my responsibility...but I'd like the answer all the same, if possible. For what it's worth, I had paid all fees, gotten the required SR-22 insurance, and all other required forms submitted to the state about 10 days prior to this, but none of that had been processed yet and because of that, I hadn't gotten a renewed license yet...
Thanks in advance,
Mark

[AFFA]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

I wish to inform you that if there has been any charges relating to licence plate in windshield then you can contest such charges. As regards charges for driving on a suspended licence you may not contest because there has been violation of law by you. You can contest any charge where either your rights have been violated or incorrect charges are framed against you. As there has been previous ticket for driving on suspended licence thus you can be held liable for Class B misdemeanor.

AFF

[sandyclaus]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

While driving (yes, illegally) to see my Father, whom I hadn't seen in several months for his birthday, I was pulled over for having my license plate in my windshield. When he checked my license, he saw that it was suspended. He arrested me and took me to jail.
I'd been caught once before, but I was driving to see my mother who'd attempted suicide and was in the ICU...I made no apologies for it, was written a ticket and let go. I'm told that this subsequent event was now a class B misdemeanor and I was to be arrested for it. Ok, fine...but I was pulled over this time for having my license plate in my front windshield. He even put it down as the warning on the ticket and can surely be seen on the video holding the license plate because he asked to see it. I've read up and found that it isn't illegal to have my license plate in the front windshield in Texas. I'm only required to have one displayed somewhere in the back and somewhere in the front.
Being that I was wrongfully pulled over, can I fight this? Yes, I know I'm looking for a way out of accepting my responsibility...but I'd like the answer all the same, if possible. For what it's worth, I had paid all fees, gotten the required SR-22 insurance, and all other required forms submitted to the state about 10 days prior to this, but none of that had been processed yet and because of that, I hadn't gotten a renewed license yet...
Thanks in advance,
Mark

But you WEREN'T in compliance with the law.

The law states that you must have TWO license plates for the vehicle, on the front and rear - and that neither may be covered.. By placing yours inside the car, the windshield is covering it. From all the traffic officer forums I've found, that's an automatic ticket. Kinda begs the question - WHY you don't have your license plate properly affixed to the front of your car? Mounting frames are very easily obtainable, and definitely cheaper than the ticket.

Sounds like you'll be paying the ticket for both the improperly installed plate AND for driving without a license. You should get that taken care of.

[Disagreeable]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

He needed probable cause to pull you over. The plate not being visible in the front, is probable cause. You're toast.

[goddessoflubboc]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

We've actually looked into this bc we had a Corvette. It is not only ILLEGAL to have the plate inside the windshield, it's illegal to have a license plate frame that covers (not obscures, but covers) any printed portion of the plate, here in Texas.

Wherever you got your answer about the plate it was wrong.

In the future consider public transit, a cab, or a friend.

[Unregistered]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

While driving (yes, illegally) to see my Father, whom I hadn't seen in several months for his birthday, I was pulled over for having my license plate in my windshield. When he checked my license, he saw that it was suspended. He arrested me and took me to jail.
I'd been caught once before, but I was driving to see my mother who'd attempted suicide and was in the ICU...I made no apologies for it, was written a ticket and let go. I'm told that this subsequent event was now a class B misdemeanor and I was to be arrested for it. Ok, fine...but I was pulled over this time for having my license plate in my front windshield. He even put it down as the warning on the ticket and can surely be seen on the video holding the license plate because he asked to see it. I've read up and found that it isn't illegal to have my license plate in the front windshield in Texas. I'm only required to have one displayed somewhere in the back and somewhere in the front.
Being that I was wrongfully pulled over, can I fight this? Yes, I know I'm looking for a way out of accepting my responsibility...but I'd like the answer all the same, if possible. For what it's worth, I had paid all fees, gotten the required SR-22 insurance, and all other required forms submitted to the state about 10 days prior to this, but none of that had been processed yet and because of that, I hadn't gotten a renewed license yet...
Thanks in advance,
Mark

Guess what Mark. Now that you have 2 DWLI (which is revoked, not suspended) you will have to carry an SR-22 for the rest of your life if you live in Texas or Oklahoma. Since your license was already invalid, you obviously had a no insurance ticket or something, when you get 3 tickets for DWLI or no insurance or any combination of the two, it carries an SR22 requirement. In Texas and OK (and maybe other states) those two types of tickets never drop off of your record, thus leaving your record with an SR22 requirement for life. I called the DMV awhile back and verified this, as I got a no insurance ticket while returning a repoed car while I was laid off a few years back. Since I had 2 no insurance tickets from when I was 17 years old (I'm 40 now) they popped me with an SR22.

I'm now DWLI and plan to be for life. **** Texas and their bull**** laws designed to make money for themselves. Once you file that SR22, kiss your insurance rates GOODBYE. I've heard that it's cheaper to go through one insurance company and get full coverage if needed and use no SR22, then pay for cheap liability on a crap car or even the same car, and file the SR22 with that. Obviously with a different insurance company.

[Disagreeable]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

Actually, the laws are designed to keep unlicensed drivers off the road. They have no insurance or ability to pay for damages they cause.

[Unregistered]

He's right. Texas road laws are made 100% to line the pockets of the state. Talk to any Lawyer and he'll tell you the same thing. I'm going throught this same **** right now, and the best thing I did was talk to a lawyer about it. Getting a lawyer will cost you a bit, but it will save you so much bull**** in the future. Peace!

[Disagreeable]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

As an individual who has been hit and injured by 7 poor drivers, I beg to differ with your interpretation of traffic laws only being made to generate revenue.

He's right. Texas road laws are made 100% to line the pockets of the state. Talk to any Lawyer and he'll tell you the same thing. I'm going throught this same **** right now, and the best thing I did was talk to a lawyer about it. Getting a lawyer will cost you a bit, but it will save you so much bull**** in the future. Peace!

[Unregistered]

As an individual who has been hit and injured by 7 poor drivers, I beg to differ with your interpretation of traffic laws only being made to generate revenue.

You must not be real smart if you've been hit 7 times. How does the front plate prevent you from being run over? SMH people that are so delusional are part of the problem. These types of laws are for generating revenue and nothing else

[Disagreeable]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

Because these people are not smart enough to work their brake pedals and keep hitting me. from behind and the side. Kinda gets back to the qualification to be a somewhat capable driver being a drivers license.

You must not be real smart if you've been hit 7 times. How does the front plate prevent you from being run over? SMH people that are so delusional are part of the problem. These types of laws are for generating revenue and nothing else

[Unregistered]

We've actually looked into this bc we had a Corvette. It is not only ILLEGAL to have the plate inside the windshield, it's illegal to have a license plate frame that covers (not obscures, but covers) any printed portion of the plate, here in Texas.

Wherever you got your answer about the plate it was wrong.

In the future consider public transit, a cab, or a friend.

If you have the suction cup mounts there is not a single thing covered I also got a ticket for that and that is not probable cause it is front facing and 100% visible.

[Disagreeable]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

When one follows the law and is rear ended by those who do not, T boned by those who run stop signs and has drunks follow the lights on their car across their front yard, it is plain bad luck. I don't agree with the front plate laws either. That does not make them invalid. In a hit and run, they are usually left at the scene due to damages.

You must not be real smart if you've been hit 7 times. How does the front plate prevent you from being run over? SMH people that are so delusional are part of the problem. These types of laws are for generating revenue and nothing else

[austin hills]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

I have been stopped sevral times with a plate in the windshield. I think it increases the risk a lot and if you have a reason NOT to get stopped dont drive with the sticker or plate in the window. It's not fair but they do stop more I am sure, if any study of the issue was ever done.

[adjusterjack]

Re: TX-Pulled over for plate in windshield, arrested for DWLI

And you must not be real smart if you think posting on a 6 year old thread makes any sense.