Moral Turpitude Felony Results In Disbarment.

A member of the State Bar was admitted in 1994. In 2008, he was charged with three counts of knowingly possessing or controlling child pornography, and pleaded guilty to one felony count. He was placed on probation for three years, terms and conditions of which included 90 days in jail and lifetime registration as a sex offender. He violated probation by sending certain text messages and was sentenced to 183 days in jail. Meanwhile back at the State Bar, the Chief Trial Counsel cited Business and Professions Code section 6102, subdivision (c), which mandates summary disbarment following conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude. A hearing judge concluded the facts supported a conviction involving moral turpitude, but the Review Department found the evidence was insufficient to establish moral turpitude. The California Supreme Court determined felonious possession or control of child pornography involves moral turpitude in every case and ordered disbarment. (In re Gary D. Grant on Discipline  (Cal. Sup. Ct.; January 23, 2014) 58 Cal.4th 469, [317 P.3d 612].)