Theft—A Crime Of “Moral Turpitude”

When you face a criminal charge, the immediate consequences
are obvious—jail time, huge fines, fees for an Orange County criminal defense lawyer,
etc.. And when you are facing the possibility of spending time in the Orange County jail it is very tempting to plead guilty of the
charge in order to avoid jail. However, such a decision shouldn’t be made
without considering the long-term ramifications of criminal conviction.

You see, some convictions have a far worse effect down the
road than others. For example, if you decide to seek a professional license
later on, such as a dentist, chiropractor, school teacher, engineer, and criminal
defense attorney, just to name a few, then a conviction for a crime of
“moral turpitude” can be a real impediment. A “moral turpitude” crime is one
that, by its nature, shows a tendency toward dishonesty.

Theft crimes, such as Petty Theft
(sometimes called shoplifting), Grand Theft, auto theft, theft by trick, embezzlement, and
burglary are just a few crimes of “moral turpitude”. Any fraud crime is also
considered a “moral turpitude” offense. In contrast, crimes like assault and
battery or DUI do not necessarily tend to show a tendency toward immorality. So
if you face charges for a crime of moral turpitude, it is best if your criminal defense lawyer in Orange
County can get the charge reduced or changed to an offense that is not
considered a crime of moral turpitude, such as disturbing the peace.

Although conviction for a theft crime is subject to
expungement, California expungement law is not very favorable for the
defendant. An expungement is NOT an eraser. When a theft conviction, or any
conviction is expunged, the defendant still must disclose the conviction when
applying for any professional license. Moreover, although a defendant need not
disclose it to most private employers, the offense is still on the defendant’s
record and an employer will find it in a background check.

If you are charged with a crime in Orange County call The
Law Offices of EJ Stopyro at (949) 559-5500 for a free and confidential
telephonic consultation with an experienced Orange County criminal defense
lawyer. Our main offices is at 32072 Camino Capistrano, 2^nd floor,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. You can also visit us at www.ejesquire.com.