State Judge License Plate

[Abraham]

Yesterday, I saw a car with a license plate with "State Judge" printed on it.

Huh?

What purpose does this plate/announcement serve?

Anyone here know?

Thanks!

P.S. My cynicism runs amok thinking of various purposes it may serve, but I've been wrong before...

[Jusme]

This not a new thing they have had plates identifying judges for a long time State Judges, Federal Judges etc. The judge in Johnson County, before he retired, has his on a huge 1 ton Bright Red Dually that he drove everyday back in the early 90s.

As far the purpose, I don't know, but it probably kept a lot of them from getting traffic tickets. Not that they would not have been dismissed anyway.

[Archery1]

Judge friend of mine used one on his car. It serves like any other specialty plate, just these are restricted to certain officials, legislators, etc. Yes, he thought it also gave him a bit of an immunity factor, but I always thought it also made him a target.

[joe817]

It also probably gets them into reserved parking spaces around crowded courthouses.

[Abraham]

Joe817,

Ostensibly, but I rather think it a big ego booster, along with Archery1's perspective...

I assume (could be wrong) these plates are provided at no cost for his Aristocratic self?

Thus, as a plebeian, I ask: If after a certain period of time of 1. Never committing a crime 2. Never beating ones dog or wife

Why should I to continue to pay for my plates and why shouldn't mine be printed with - Good Guy (and get reserved parking spots where ever I go, much like the handicapped?)

Huh?

Huh?

[The Wall]

It's so people can look at it and say, "Here come Da judge!"

[Archery1]

I assume (could be wrong) these plates are provided at no cost for his Aristocratic self?

Per the Transportation Code, you would be more than correct. Three sets of vanity plates, free.

Sec. 504.400. FEES FOR CERTAIN RESTRICTED PLATES. The department shall issue, without charge, not more than three sets of specialty license plates under this subchapter.

[Jusme]

Joe817,

Ostensibly, but I rather think it a big ego booster, along with Archery1's perspective...

I assume (could be wrong) these plates are provided at no cost for his Aristocratic self?

Thus, as a plebeian, I ask: If after a certain period of time of 1. Never committing a crime 2. Never beating ones dog or wife

Why should I to continue to pay for my plates and why shouldn't mine be printed with - Good Guy (and get reserved parking spots where ever I go, much like the handicapped?)

Huh?

Huh?

I like the idea of maybe having a way to show a history of how law abiding someone is, maybe with a Gold Star in the center of the plate.

[G26ster]

There's a difference between free plates, and free annual registration fees. Texas has many specialty plates that are free (military, veteran, awards, etc.), but only some include waiving the annual registration fees.

[mojohn]

I have amateur radio license plates. I pay the registration fees and taxes and all, but there is no extra charge for the specialty plate itself.

73's
John

There's a difference between free plates, and free annual registration fees. Texas has many specialty plates that are free (military, veteran, awards, etc.), but only some include waiving the annual registration fees.

[SA_Steve]

I would never run an amateur plate or even post my call anywhere. Completely blasts away any privacy.

[gdanaher]

§ 504.401. STATE OFFICIALS. (a) The department shall
issue without charge specialty license plates to a state official.
The license plates must include the words "State Official."
(b) A state official may be issued three sets of license
plates under this section.
(c) The license plates remain valid until December 31 of
each year.
(d) In this section, "state official" means:
(1) a member of the legislature;
(2) the governor;
(3) the lieutenant governor;
(4) a justice of the supreme court;
(5) a judge of the court of criminal appeals;
(6) the attorney general;
(7) the commissioner of the General Land Office;
(8) the comptroller;
(9) a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas;
(10) the commissioner of agriculture;
(11) the secretary of state; or
(12) a member of the State Board of Education.

[Justsayin]

Some of the reasons which support the existence of this type plate are that law enforcement know they are dealing with an informed professional, professional courtesy, respect of an elected official, safety of an elected official, youd be surprised how many tail gaiters back off once they see the plates, reverence for the elected official.... as the wife of a judge I find that people react with the courtesies we all owe one another, but only such status seems to receive.

[BBYC]

Some of the reasons which support the existence of this type plate are that law enforcement know they are dealing with an informed professional, professional courtesy, respect of an elected official,

. special treatment.

[flechero]

Yesterday, I saw a car with a license plate with "State Judge" printed on it.

Huh?

What purpose does this plate/announcement serve?

Anyone here know?

Thanks!

P.S. My cynicism runs amok thinking of various purposes it may serve, but I've been wrong before...

No tickets... parking or otherwise. And they won't even be inconvenienced by being pulled over and having to ID.