An old unjust law might finally be changed as define legislature to define crimes of moral turpitude. From Ballot Access News:

The Alabama Constitution, since 1901, has said that a person convicted of a crime of “moral turpitude” loses the right to register to vote, unless he or she is absolved later. For many years, attempts have been made to persuade Alabama state courts to define “moral turpitude” so that the law is applied uniformly across the state, and so that individuals can know their rights. However, all those attempts have failed.

Finally, the legislature has passed a bill listing the crimes that are considered to be “moral turpitude” crimes. HB 282, by Mike Jones (R-Andalusia), passed the House unanimously on March 9 and passed the State Senate unanimously on May 17.

Moral turpitude is used in other states and, according to West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, “is used in Criminal Law to describe conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals”. In fact, the federal government uses the phrase in regard to immigration, saying “One of the most important definitions for anyone who wants to obtain or keep a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence) but who has had run-ins with law enforcement is that of “crime of moral turpitude” (CMT).” For example:

Written opinions from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) describe moral turpitude as a “nebulous concept,” and one that “refers generally to conduct that shocks the public conscience as being inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to the rules of morality and the duties owed between man and man, either one’s fellow man or society in general.” The person committing it should have had either an “evil intent” or been acting recklessly.