Moral turpitude

Here we see that both Lord TENTERDEN and Lord WYNFORD apply the test of moral turpitude to crime when considering the degree of punishment that ought to be annexed to it.

In their efforts to achieve a satisfactory definition of moral turpitude, the courts have been faced with the problem of arriving at a definition that is restrictive enough to facilitate application to a particular fact situation and yet not so broad as to distort the statutory intent. In this context moral turpitude is generally defined as a base or vile act that violates the accepted social relationship among men. This definition, however, is not completely satisfactory, and the courts generally base their decision upon the fact situation involved in the particular case. Moreover, this procedure has not been conductive to obtaining uniformity among the various jurisdictions.

In characterizing moral turpitude, courts have consistently returned to themes traditionally associated with the concept of immorality. Typically included offenses are fraud, deceit, dishonesty, misrepresentation for the purpose of financial gain, and corruption, as well as offenses involving sexual misconduct and murder. In addition, many courts require a finding of knowledge or intent. However, the rationales which courts use to reach a finding of moral turpitude vary among the jurisdictions.

In fact, one view expressed at the time was that work on the farm was free from the moral turpitude of city sweatshops and that farm labor taught children valuable lessons and skills.

When Mr. Marsden, the mill's overseer, tells the superintendent of the factory that Lyddie did not have moral turpitude. (Book set in the 1800's during the time of the mills and Industrial Revolution)