Moral Turpitude

Moral turpitude refers to conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals. In California, any act of moral turpitude, whether it occurs in a lawyer's personal life or professional practice, can lead to disbarment or suspension.

An attorney is convicted of embezzling funds from a client, which is a clear act of dishonesty. Even though the crime occurred outside of their legal practice, the attorney faces disbarment due to the moral turpitude associated with their actions. As a result, the attorney is suspended from practicing law.

Moral turpitude: dishonesty that can cost you your law license.

Exams may present scenarios where the conduct seems minor or unrelated to legal practice, leading students to underestimate its impact on moral turpitude. Students might confuse moral turpitude with other forms of misconduct that are not as severe.

Questions often involve fact patterns that include criminal convictions or unethical behavior, prompting candidates to identify whether the conduct qualifies as moral turpitude and its consequences for the attorney's license.