Switched Tags: Taking the License plate off one car and putting it on another...NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Switched Tags:  Taking the license plate off one car and putting it on another car.  People contact our office often with this problem.  Here are the usual scenarios.

1.  I bought a used car and didn't have the money for sales tax so I took the plates off my old car and put them on the new car.

2.  I have two cars and one has current registration the other does not, the one with current registration broke down so I took the plates off it and put it on the other car.

3.  I have a lien on my car and can't get it registered in my name so I put my other plates on the new car.

4.  I just bought this car and it had plates on it so I just drove it.

5.  My friend gave me his plates to put on my car.

Now you have gotten pulled over and ticketed for the switched license plate.  You want to know how much trouble you’re in and what it is going to cost you to get out of it.  Before I get to the law , let me tell you right now if you are thinking of putting false license plates on your car DON'T! This can lead to all kinds of problems for you.  Not only are you looking at a fine and a misdemeanor charge, but it could get worse.  If the license plates are stolen or reported stolen you could be charged with theft or possession of stolen property.

If you have been ticketed for switched tags or false license plate here is the law. (This is not the complete statute, it is to long for a blog post, I included the probable relevant part)  Please see the highlighted section to determine the possible fine amount and charge.

8-142: Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts and except as otherwise provided, violation is subject to penalties provided in K.S.A. 8-149, and amendments thereto:
      First: To operate, or for the owner thereof knowingly to permit the operation, upon a highway of any vehicle, as defined in K.S.A. 8-126, and amendments thereto, which is not registered, or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or which does not have attached thereto and displayed thereon the license plate or plates assigned thereto by the division for the current registration year, including any registration decal required to be affixed to any such license plate pursuant to K.S.A. 8-134, and amendments thereto, subject to the exemptions allowed in K.S.A. 8-135, 8-198 and 8-1751a, and amendments thereto. A violation of this First by a person unlawfully claiming that a motor vehicle is exempt from registration as a self-propelled crane under subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-128, and amendments thereto, shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500.
      Second: To display or cause or permit to be displayed, or to have in possession, any registration receipt, certificate of title, registration license plate, registration decal, accessible parking placard or accessible parking identification card knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been canceled, revoked, suspended or altered. A violation of this part Second shall constitute an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and forfeiture of the item. A mandatory court appearance shall be required of any person violating this part Second. This part Second shall not apply to the possession of: (a) Model year license plates displayed on antique vehicles as allowed under K.S.A. 8-172, and amendments thereto; or (b) distinctive license plates allowed under K.S.A. 8-1,147, and amendments thereto.