I ran without a front plate for 10 years on my Trans-Am, all over Houston and lots of TX roadtrips. I think I had one actual front plate ticket in that time, and it wasn't a big deal. Once or twice on other occasions the officer brought it up, but either didn't write it up or gave an official warning. I don't run a front plate on the Z either, no front-plate tickets for it yet in 3.5 years.
But they will use it as an excuse sometimes. If you're in a shady legal situation (e.g. outstanding warrants or some such ********), by all means put the front plate on
