Good Moral Character? Moral Turpitude?

What is moral turpitude? What is good moral character? These questions arise in cases contesting a disciplinary action based upon a conviction of a misdemeanor or felony and in applications for reinstatement of a professional license after revocation. How does one prove that they are both a person of moral character and posses the moral turpitude that warrants either reinstatement or no disciplinary action?Every licensing scheme possesses a provision allowing that licensing board to revoke or cancel a license when a licensee is found guilty of a felony charge or an felony or misdemeanor offense in conjunction with the practice of that license, or found guilty of conduct involving moral turpitude by court of competent jurisdiction or a jury. Moral turpitude is not defined in any of the licensing acts.  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court routinely defines moral turpitude to me anything done knowingly contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals.  The terms good moral character and the lack of moral turpitude are used interchangeably to define each other in many cases.  ‘Fraud’ certainly has acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law. Black’s Law Dictionary 594 (5th ed. 1979) defines fraud as any kind of artifice employed by one person to deceive another.In a March 2015 case, an individual convicted of 3rd degree murder, who served 10 years of a 10 year sentence, sought reinstatement of his podiatric license. He presented character witnesses, proof of some rehabilitative efforts, and efforts to maintain up-to-date on podiatric medicine continuing education requirements. The board rejected his application for reinstatement, concluding he had not presented sufficient evidence of rehabilitation and did not present sufficient remorse. Long v. Bureau of Prof’l & Occupational Affairs, 2015 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 130, (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2015).Many cases state that the petitioner seeking reinstatement carries the burden of proof in establishing that they meet all of the licensure requirements for reinstatement. The pivotal issue on these types of cases, both for reinstatement and contesting disciplinary action, is what efforts were made by the licensee to rehabilitate their character such that they now or still possess good moral character to be trusted to hold a license at the time of reinstatement or disciplinary action. Garner v. Bureau of Prof’l & Occupational Affairs, 97 A.3d 437, 440, 2014 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 391, 5-7, 2014 WL 3734280 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2014)In reviewing the evidence a petitioner presents demonstrating good moral character, character witnesses, post jail release behavior, and the delay in time between criminal event and application for reinstatement are not enough. Proof of sufficient rehabilitation does not just include attending victim counseling, religious services, and paying restitution. Krichmar v. State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons, 850 A.2d 861, 864 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004), requires clear and credible expressions or evidence of remorse and corrective community action. Lack of remorse itself is a sufficient basis to deny reinstatement. Storch v. State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons, 751 A.2d 263, 264 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2000).Shallow and unimposing claims of entitlement to reinstatement that show little remorse for the victim of the crime will not carry the day. Licensing boards look for individuals to rehabilitate their character through established patterns of behavior that are honorable, trustworthy and consistent with the communities’ current ethical standards that show an absence of moral turpitude. The “determination of whether a crime involves moral turpitude turns on the elements of the crime, not on an independent examination of the details of the behavior underlying the crime.” Licensing boards will not re-litigate the facts underlying the criminal conviction.Character witnesses must base their conclusions of an applicant’s credibility upon factual interaction and consensus amongst a large group of individuals. Bringing to a hearing just the respondent/applicant’s immediate social or family circle will not carry the day. Employment related job evaluations and supervisors and coworkers who may provide the Board with significant and weighty testimony about the applicant’s established pattern of honorable and trustworthy behavior consistent with current community ethical standards is a priority in the evidence presented.Call me to discuss your disciplinary action or attempts at reinstatement of your professional license.