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TCA 55-4-221

Judiciary members

FELONYFelony

What does this charge mean?

Members of the Tennessee judiciary (judges) are issued special license plates. Fraudulently displaying judicial plates is classified as a felony.

Penalty Details

ClassificationFelony
Penalty SummaryFelony
(a) Registration plates for members of the judiciary shall be issued in accordance with this part. Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers. Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now (b) Registration plates for judges of the state courts of record shall bear individual distinctive numbers, as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the administrative director of the courts. (c) (1) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a duly elected juvenile court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. (2) Former juvenile court judges may also obtain a license plate as provided for in subdivision (c)(1). (d) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a duly elected general sessions court judge or former general sessions court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed with an individual distinctive number. (e) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a retired or former member of the Tennessee judicial conference, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101 for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. (f) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a municipal court judge or former municipal court judge, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, instead of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number. (g) The amendments to this section by chapter 336 of the Public Acts of 1987, which applied provisions of this section to certain former judges, shall not apply to any judge who has been convicted of a felony or who has been removed from office. (h) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner is authorized, and shall issue, license plates to owners or lessees of motorcycles otherwise qualified pursuant to this section upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motorcycles and paying the regular fee applicable to motorcycles and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204. (i) An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and whose duty is to serve a judiciary function as a magistrate, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, payment of the regular license fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and payment of the additional fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a license plate, as prescribed by § 55-4-101, for motor vehicles authorized by § 55-4-210(c), upon which, instead of the numbers as prescribed by § 55-4-103, shall be inscribed an individual distinctive number.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 26, 2026

Quick Facts

FELONY
TCA Section55-4-221