Supreme Court of the United States

John Walker, Iii, Chairman, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board, Petitioners v. Texas Division, Sons Of…

June 18, 2015576 U.S. 200

Summary

The Court held that Texas specialty license plate designs are government speech, so the Board’s refusal to approve the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ Confederate‑flag plate did not violate the First Amendment. Accordingly, the Fifth Circuit’s judgment was reversed.

Holding

  • Whether Texas specialty license plates constitute government speech and whether the Board’s denial violates the First Amendment. Texas specialty license plate designs are government speech; therefore the Board’s refusal to issue the Confederate‑flag plate does not violate the Free Speech Clause

Docket 14-144

Cited authorities

  • Tex. Code Ann. § 504.613
  • Tex. Code Ann. § 504.620
  • Tex. Code Ann. § 504.622
  • Tex. Code Ann. §§ 502.001
  • 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.45
  • 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.52
  • Tex. Code Ann. §§ 504.801
  • 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.45

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