Indiana court allows 'God' plates

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the state's policy of not charging extra for "In God We Trust" vehicle license plates is constitutional.

The ruling upheld a judgment by a lower court against the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana's claims that the "God" plates were treated specially by the state because motorists did not have to pay the $15 fee charged for specialty plates, WRTV in Indianapolis reported Tuesday.

The appellate court sided with the state's argument that the "In God We Trust" plate and a plate reading "Lincoln's Boyhood Home" are merely alternatives to the standard plate and do not qualify for the $15 fee charged for specialty license plates for organizations.

"The display of our material motto, 'In God We Trust,' on state license plates has found deep support among our fellow citizens," Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said. "So often when there is a reference to a supreme being in the public arena, objections are made. With the court's ruling, those objections have failed and the Legislature's will has been sustained."