Crimes of Moral Turpitude

As a general proposition, crimes against the person involve moral turpitude when criminal intent is an element of the offense.  Criminal intent is sometimes inferred from the presence of unjustified violence or the use of a dangerous weapon.  Lesser related offenses or lesser degrees of the same offenses may possibly not involve moral turpitude in the absence of criminal intent, unjustified violence, or the use of a dangerous weapon as elements of the offense.[35]

[35] See Chapter 8, supra.  See also Annot., What Constitutes “Crime Involving Moral Turpitude” Within Meaning of § § 212(a)(9) and 241(a)(5) of Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § § 1182(a)(9), 1251(a)(4)), and Similar Predecessor Statutes Providing for Exclusion or Deportation of Aliens Convicted of Such Crime, 23 A.L.R. Fed. 480, § 10(a) (1975).