Conviction of a crime of moral turpitude in Texas can dramatically affect your ability to keep or land a job, serve on jury duty, maintain a professional license and enjoy many other privileges. A Sugar Land criminal defense attorney can work hard to make certain that this type of charge is not placed on your permanent record, and can help you restore your reputation within the community.
What Is a Crime of Moral Turpitude?
Texas courts have faced a number of cases begging the question of how to define this term. Presently, the courts have concluded that crimes of moral turpitude include the following:
- Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or deliberate violence
- Matters of personal morality
- Conduct committed knowingly and contrary to justice, honesty, principle or good morals
- Baseness, vileness or depravity
- Conduct immoral in itself, regardless of whether it is punishable by law
- Immoral conduct that is willful, flagrant or shameless and shows a moral indifference to the opinion of the good and respectable members of the community.
Over the years, courts have considered crimes such as prostitution, lying to police, tax evasion, indecent exposure, theft, failure to stop and render aid, swindling and bank fraud to fall within this category.
What Are the Collateral Consequences of This Offense?
As your Sugar Land criminal defense attorney will explain, a conviction of moral turpitude can result in loss of employment or professional licensure. It can also result in a loss of state financial aid for school or state assistance programs, loss of custody and visitation rights, and possible mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Attorney Today
Attorney John Venza can assist you if you are facing a charge of a crime of moral turpitude. Contact his office today to arrange an appointment: 281-971-5660.