An infamous crime is a crime that carries severe penalties and has significant social stigma due to its inherently immoral or unethical nature. Historically, infamous crimes were those considered so reprehensible that they affected an individual's credibility and rights in society.
Infamous crimes typically involve offenses that reflect moral turpitude, such as fraud, perjury, or serious violent crimes. The designation of a crime as "infamous" can have implications beyond the immediate legal penalties, affecting the individual's social standing and legal rights, such as the right to hold public office or testify in court.
Key Characteristics of an Infamous Crime:
Severity: Involves serious offenses with harsh penalties.
Moral Turpitude: Reflects actions that are considered inherently wrong or immoral.
Social Stigma: Carries a significant negative social perception.
Legal Implications: Can affect legal rights and status, such as credibility as a witness.
Examples:
- Fraud: Deceptive practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain.
- Perjury: Lying under oath, which undermines the justice system.
- Violent Felonies: Serious violent crimes like murder or rape.
United States: In the United States, the concept of an infamous crime has roots in the Constitution. The Fifth Amendment mentions that no person shall be held to answer for a "capital, or otherwise infamous crime" unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury. Infamous crimes are generally those that involve serious moral turpitude and can lead to significant legal disabilities, such as the loss of the right to vote, hold office, or serve on a jury.
United Kingdom: In the UK, the term "infamous crime" is less commonly used in contemporary legal terminology, but historically, it referred to crimes that rendered individuals unfit for certain civil roles. Crimes involving dishonesty or corruption, like embezzlement or bribery, were often considered infamous. Today, the focus is more on the specific legal consequences of particular offenses rather than a general category of infamous crimes.
Canada: Canadian law does not typically use the term "infamous crime," but similar concepts exist under different terminologies. Crimes that involve serious breaches of trust or moral turpitude can lead to significant legal consequences, such as disqualification from certain professions or public roles. The severity and nature of the crime often dictate these outcomes.
A common misconception is that any serious crime is considered an infamous crime. While many infamous crimes are serious, not all serious crimes fall into this category. Infamous crimes specifically involve elements of moral turpitude and carry significant social and legal consequences beyond the standard penalties.
Another misconception is that the concept of infamous crimes is outdated and no longer relevant. While the terminology might be less common, the underlying principle remains significant in determining the broader legal and social implications of certain offenses. Crimes involving fraud, perjury, or severe ethical breaches still carry enhanced consequences in many jurisdictions.
There is also a misconception that the term "infamous crime" only affects the legal penalties directly related to the crime. In reality, being convicted of an infamous crime can impact various aspects of an individual's life, including their credibility as a witness, eligibility for certain jobs, and overall social standing.
Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan
1895 Bradford Rd, Michigan, 48009-7253
Thomas M. Cooley
Contracts and Agreements,
Freedom of Information Act,
Government Contracts,
Employment and Labor,
State, Local And Municipal Law,
Government
and Tax
Birmingham, Michigan
Contracts and Agreements Lawyer
Free Consultation
+12486353360
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan
1895 Bradford Rd, Michigan, 48009-7253
Free Consultation
+12486353360
Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Brighton - Michigan
224 N 1st St, Michigan, 48116-1205
Contracts and Agreements
and International Law
Brighton, Michigan
Contracts and Agreements Lawyer
Free Consultation
+15175408909
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Brighton - Michigan
224 N 1st St, Michigan, 48116-1205
Free Consultation
+15175408909
Business Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan
23756 Michigan Ave Ste 300, Michigan, 48124-1853
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Business,
Criminal Defense,
Family,
Immigration
and Personal Injury
Dearborn, Michigan
Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
+13139086019
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan
23756 Michigan Ave Ste 300, Michigan, 48124-1853
Free Consultation
+13139086019
Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan
1675 Green Rd, Michigan, 48105-2530
Michigan State University College of Law
Civil Rights,
Freedom of Information Act,
Government Contracts,
Insurance,
State, Local And Municipal Law,
Government
and Police Misconduct
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Civil Rights Lawyer
Free Consultation
+17346696305
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan
1675 Green Rd, Michigan, 48105-2530
Free Consultation
+17346696305
Commercial Lawyer Serving at Farmington Hills - Michigan
31440 Northwestern Hwy Ste 145, Michigan, 48334-5420
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Commercial,
Contracts and Agreements,
Environmental and Natural Resources,
Litigation,
Probate
and Real Estate
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Commercial Lawyer
Free Consultation
+12484698068
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Farmington Hills - Michigan
31440 Northwestern Hwy Ste 145, Michigan, 48334-5420
Free Consultation
+12484698068
Business Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan
789 N Dixboro Rd, Michigan, 48105-9723
Business,
Commercial,
Contracts and Agreements,
Health Care,
Licensing
and Securities Offerings
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
+17344749216
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan
789 N Dixboro Rd, Michigan, 48105-9723
Free Consultation
+17344749216
Juvenile Lawyer Serving at Hamtramck - Michigan
2933 Caniff St Unit 12250, Michigan, 48212-4712
Juvenile
and Probate
Hamtramck, Michigan
Juvenile Lawyer
Free Consultation
+13135879762
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Hamtramck - Michigan
2933 Caniff St Unit 12250, Michigan, 48212-4712
Free Consultation
+13135879762
Workers Compensation Law Lawyer Serving at Los Angeles - California
Law Office of Damir Junicic, 10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1101, California, 90024-4112
Workers Compensation Law
Los Angeles, California
Workers Compensation Law Lawyer
Free Consultation
+13107535155
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Los Angeles - California
Law Office of Damir Junicic, 10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1101, California, 90024-4112
Free Consultation
+13107535155
Environmental and Natural Resources Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan
651 E Jefferson Ave, Michigan, 48226-4349
Wayne State University School of Law
Environmental and Natural Resources
Detroit, Michigan
Environmental and Natural Resources Lawyer
Free Consultation
+13135969817
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan
651 E Jefferson Ave, Michigan, 48226-4349
Free Consultation
+13135969817
Business Lawyer Serving at Mount Pleasant - Michigan
164 Grawn Hall, Michigan, 48859-0001
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Business,
Contracts and Agreements,
Immigration,
Mergers and Acquisitions,
Divestitures,
Public Finance and Tax Exempt Finance,
Securities Offerings,
Sports
and Tax
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
+19897742624
0 reviews
Lawyer Serving at Mount Pleasant - Michigan
164 Grawn Hall, Michigan, 48859-0001
Free Consultation
+19897742624
Don’t have an account? Sign up
View Website
Email Lawyer
Sign up using your Google account
Sign up using your LinkedIn account