Wooley v. Maynard

New Hampshire required all license plates to display the state motto 'Live Free or Die.' The Maynards (defendants), Jehovah's Witnesses who found the motto morally and religiously objectionable, covered it on their plates; George Maynard was repeatedly convicted and fined for violating the display law, serving 15 days in jail. The Maynards sued in federal court for declaratory and injunctive relief, and the district court granted the injunction.

Whether the First Amendment prohibits the compulsory display of a state's motto on license plates.