A federal judge struck down a Rhode Island law that allowed police chiefs to remove signs at their discretion. U.S. District Judge William E. Smith ruled it was unconstitutional because police chiefs were able to act arbitrarily without guidelines on which signs could stand and which had to go. 

“The statute makes no mention of traffic safety, or any other purpose justifying the restrictions, and sets forth no standards based on the characteristics of a proposed sign, i.e. color, size or shape …. It vests chiefs of police with unfettered discretion, unconnected to any standards related to safety or any other legitimate consideration.” 

A candidate whose signs were taken down on private property during the 2006 campaign brought the case to the courts.