May 25, 2013
A federal judge says North Carolina's "Choose Life" specialty license plate is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge James Fox had already blocked the state last year from issuing the anti-abortion plates after the American Civil Liberties Union sued.
On Friday Fox ruled that without the state offering an alternative plate supporting pro-choice that the "Choose Life" plates were unconstitutional.
During last year's session, the General Assembly passed the "Choose Life" bill, but the ACLU says lawmakers repeatedly refused to okay a plate that supported the opposing side. Six amendments were proposed that would have added a new plate to say either "Trust Women. Respect Choice" or just "Respect Choice" They all were rejected.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Roy Cooper says the state hasn't decided whether to appeal the judge's ruling.
