Stay Denied In BMV License Plate Case

A Marion County judge Wednesday denied a request by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to halt his ruling ordering the agency to reinstate its personalized license plate program.  But the fate of that program is still uncertain.

Greenfield police officer Rodney Vawter wanted to put the word “0INK” on his Fraternal Order of Police license plate.  The BMV denied his request, so Vawter filed a lawsuit.  During the suit, the BMV suspended its personalized plate program. 

Marion County Judge James Osborn ruled against the state in May, ordering the BMV to reinstate the program and to develop new, clearer standards. 

The state filed a motion with the judge, asking him to issue a stay until an appeal could be heard by the state Supreme Court.  But Osborn is denying the request. The BMV can also appeal that decision to the Supreme Court.