What is Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?
Last Updated on Monday, 25 January 2010 03:37 Written by admin Saturday, 26 December 2009 11:46 Moral turpitude generally refers to conduct which is inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to the accepted rules of morality and the duties owed to persons or society in general. See Matter of Flores, 17 I&N, Dec. 225 (BIA 1980), and cases cited therein. It is defined as conduct which is morally reprehensible and intrinsically wrong, the essence of which is an evil or malicious intent. In determining whether a crime is one that involves moral turpitude, one must look to the nature of the offense itself. Matter of Esfandiary, 16 I&N Dec. 659 (BIA 1979). Additionally, whether or not a crime is a CIMT often depends on whether or not a state statute includes one of the elements that introduces moral turpitude. A crime with the same name may be a CIMT in one state but not in another if the state statutes define the crime differently. Conspiracy to commit a crime considered a CIMT is also a
