The medical profession is held to very high ethical standards. Physicians are entrusted with their patients’ health, safety and well-being, which demands unwavering moral conduct.
Therefore, when a doctor is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, it raises significant concerns about their fitness to practice medicine. But what exactly are crimes of moral turpitude, and how might they affect a doctor’s medical license?
What are crimes of moral turpitude?
Crimes of moral turpitude violate societal standards of morality and ethics. These crimes generally involve dishonesty, fraud, deceit or conduct that reflects poorly on an individual’s integrity. Examples include:
- Embezzlement
- Tax evasion
- Bribery
- Domestic violence
- Certain drug-related offenses
Such crimes signal a breach of trust, which is particularly concerning for professions like medicine that rely on the utmost ethical behavior.
Licensing boards and their role
Medical licensing boards oversee physicians’ conduct, helping to ensure they adhere to legal and ethical standards. Medical boards have the mandate to thoroughly look into misconduct allegations and take the necessary disciplinary actions. When a doctor is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, licensing boards assess whether the crime undermines the doctor’s ability to safely and ethically care for patients.
Crimes of moral turpitude often trigger automatic reporting requirements. For instance, medical boards may require doctors to disclose:
- Arrests
- Charges
- Convictions
Failure to report such incidents can result in further disciplinary measures, such as suspension or revocation of the medical license. In less severe cases, the board may allow the doctor to continue practicing under specific conditions, such as probation, mandatory counseling or close supervision.
Doctors whose licenses are at risk due to their criminal history may feel like this might end their career. However, with rigorous legal support, they can safeguard their professional license and continue caring for patients.
