Man fights denial of ‘COPSLIE’ vanity plate

Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H.

A New Hampshire man told the state’s highest court Thursday that denying him a vanity license plate that reads “COPSLIE” violates his political free-speech rights.

David Montenegro, who last year legally changed his name to “human,” said he wanted the plate because he feels it highlights government corruption.

Lawyers for the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, who joined the case, say the current DMV regulation is unconstitutionally vague and gives too much discretion in a person behind a counter. The policy prohibits vanity plates that “a reasonable person would find offensive to good taste.”

“So if a person at DMV agrees with the sentiment, he gets the plate?” Chief Justice Linda Dalianis asked during a spirited half-hour of arguments.

“What is good taste?” Justice Carol Ann Conboy asked. “That seems to be the nub of the argument.”

Senior Assistant Attorney General Richard Head argued that state workers were right to deny the plate in 2010, because the phrase disparages an entire class of people — police officers.

“I don’t deny you might get two different decisions from two different people,” Head said in response to a question about whether a plate reading “COPS R GR8” would be approved.