License Plates and Free Speech

(1:27:46) Guest: RonNell Anderson Jones, BYU professor and constitutional law expert  The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on a case about license plates and free speech. There have been many, many lawsuits over a person’s right to have his or her license plate say something controversial or profane. This current case before the nation’s highest court has to do with those specialty plates states sell as a way to make extra money. Some have literally hundreds to choose from, supporting all kinds of nonprofit groups and causes. But several states, including Texas have drawn the line at a license plate proposed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which would feature the Confederate flag. The government of Texas says they don’t endorse the message underlying that image and to put it on an official state license plate would amount to an endorsement. The Sons of the Confederate Veterans says Texas is discriminating against them and infringing on their right to expression. The Supreme Court’s decision later this year will affect similar cases in states across the country.