Safe Havens

(B)  Crimes of Moral Turpitude.[202]

Whether other driving offenses involve moral turpitude depends upon the elements of the offense.  Joyriding, for example, is not held to be a crime involving moral turpitude, when no intent to deprive the owner permanently of the property was required as an essential element of the offense.

Board of Immigration Appeals:

Matter of P, 2 I. & N. Dec. 887 (BIA 1947) (conviction of “joy-riding” in violation of Canada Criminal Code § 285(3) does not involve moral turpitude).

Matter of H, 2 I. & N. Dec. 864 (BIA 1947) (joyriding not a CMT).

Matter of C, 2 I. & N. Dec. 716 (BIA 1946) (conviction of reckless driving does not involve moral turpitude) (dictum).

Matter of M, 2 I. & N. Dec. 686 (BIA 1946) (conviction of  “joy-riding” in violation of Canada Criminal Code § 285(3) does not involve moral turpitude).

Matter of D, 1 I. & N. Dec. 143 (BIA 1941) (driving an automobile without the consent of the owner in violation of former California Vehicle Code § 503 is not a crime involving moral turpitude).

First Circuit:

Montero-Ubri v. INS, 229 F.3d 319 (1st Cir. 2000) (Massachusetts offense of possession of a false driver’s license, in violation of Mass.Gen.Laws, c. 90 § 24B, does not constitute a crime involving moral turpitude).

[202] See N. Tooby, J. Rollin & J. Foster, Crimes of Moral Turpitude § 9.88 (2005).