Jermaine D. English, Petitioner v. State of Florida, Respondent

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court held that section 316.605(1) plainly requires a license plate to be visible and legible at all times, regardless of whether the obscuring matter is on or external to the plate, and therefore affirmed the Fifth District Court of Appeal’s decision and reversed the Second District’s contrary ruling. Justice Perry dissented, arguing the statute is ambiguous and should be read using ejusdem generis to exclude external objects.