WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court permitted pro-life license plates in Louisiana and Tennessee by refusing June 26 to accept challenges to those states’ approval of such auto tags.
By declining to review lower court decisions, the high court allowed to stand rulings in the 5th and 6th Circuit Courts of Appeals, upholding the legality of license plates bearing the message “Choose Life” in Louisiana and Tennessee, respectively. The Tennessee pro-life plates, which cost $35 more than a regular auto tag, are expected to be available this fall, The Tennessean reported. Louisiana resumed sale of “Choose Life” tags in January after a favorable appeals court action, according to The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the cases means there are conflicting opinions in the circuit court system regarding pro-life tags.
While the 5th and 6th circuits have ruled in favor of pro-life plates, the 4th Circuit has ruled against them. In 2005, the Supreme Court declined to review a 4th Circuit opinion that said South Carolina’s “Choose Life” tags violate the First Amendment by not permitting an abortion-rights message in the same forum.
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