Attaching Wrong Plates

Suffolk County Traffic Offense Lawyer Committed to Protecting the Rights of Boston Motorists Facing Serious Motor Vehicle Violations

It might seem like a minor issue—borrowing plates to move a car, forgetting to register a newly purchased vehicle, or switching plates between cars you own. But in Massachusetts, attaching the wrong plates to a vehicle is a criminal offense, not a paperwork violation. Prosecutors treat it as evidence of intent to deceive, and that can land you in court, facing fines, license penalties, and even jail time. At the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, we’ve seen how quickly simple registration issues can become criminal allegations. With over 27 years of experience representing drivers in Boston, Attorney Murphy knows how to keep one oversight from becoming a permanent legal problem.

What the Law Says About Wrong or False Plates

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 23, it is a misdemeanor to “knowingly attach or permit to be attached to a motor vehicle a number plate or registration not issued or lawfully assigned to that vehicle.” That means even if you own both the vehicle and the plates, you can still be charged if the plate does not legally match the specific car being operated.

This charge most commonly arises in situations like:

• Driving a car with plates from a different, unregistered vehicle
• Borrowing someone else’s plate to avoid registration costs
• Transferring plates before updating RMV records
• Operating a newly purchased car before it’s been properly registered

Whether the intent was to cut corners, save time, or avoid insurance issues, the law doesn’t require proof of bad faith—just that the plates didn’t legally belong on that vehicle.

Why License Plate Violations Are Serious

To law enforcement, using the wrong plates can signal an attempt to avoid detection. Officers often assume the vehicle is being used without insurance, registration, or inspection. That’s why these stops frequently lead to multiple charges, which often include:

• Operating an unregistered or uninsured vehicle
• Attaching wrong plates
• Driving without a valid inspection sticker
• Operating without a license (if applicable)

Legal Consequences of an Attaching Plates Conviction

The penalties for this charge can be more serious than most expect, as the offense is considered a misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face:

• A fine of up to $100 (for the plate offense itself)
• Jail time of up to 10 days for a first offense
• Suspension of your driver’s license
• Fees and penalties from the RMV to reinstate your registration
• Increased insurance rates or difficulty getting coverage
• A permanent misdemeanor on your criminal record

If other violations are charged at the same time—such as uninsured operation or driving with a suspended license—the legal and financial consequences can grow quickly.

How a Boston Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Help

Attorney Patrick J. Murphy helps clients resolve license plate violations efficiently and without long-term damage to their records. Often, these cases involve first-time offenses or genuine misunderstandings, and courts may be open to dismissal or non-criminal outcomes. Your defense may include:

• Showing you owned both vehicles and had no intent to deceive
• Proving you were in the process of registering the vehicle at the time
• Highlighting unclear or misleading RMV communication
• Demonstrating that the plate switch was brief or temporary
• Negotiating a pretrial resolution to avoid a conviction

In many cases, Attorney Murphy can resolve the charge through a clerk magistrate’s hearing, keeping it entirely off your record.

Avoid Letting a Registration Error Define Your Record

Attaching the wrong plates may not seem like a big deal—but the courts see it differently. One moment of bad judgment, or even confusion about RMV rules, can result in a criminal charge that lingers far longer than it should. If you’ve been charged in Boston with this offense, the smartest move is to deal with it early, before it turns into a lasting problem. To find out where you stand and how to fix it, call our Boston traffic citation lawyer at (617) 367-0450. We are immediately available to help guide you through the process and will do everything possible to help you resolve the case with your record—and your license—intact.