United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Jordan v. De George, 341 U.S. 223 (1951)

Jordan v. De George

No. 348

Argued March 5, 1951

Decided May 7, 1951

341 U.S. 223

Syllabus

Conspiracy to defraud the United States of taxes on distilled spirits is a "crime involving moral turpitude" within the meaning of § 19(a) of the Immigration Act of 1917, 8 U.S.C. § 155(a), which requires the deportation of any alien who is sentenced more than once to imprisonment for one year or more because of conviction in this country of any such crime. Pp. 341 U. S. 223-232.

(a) Crimes in which fraud is an ingredient have always been regarded as involving moral turpitude. Pp. 341 U. S. 227-229, 341 U. S. 232.

(b) The phrase "crime involving moral turpitude" does not lack sufficiently definite standards to justify this deportation proceeding, and the statute is not unconstitutional for vagueness. Pp. 341 U. S. 229-232.

183 F.2d 768, reversed.

In a habeas corpus proceeding to challenge the validity of a deportation order, the District Court dismissed the petition. The Court of Appeals reversed. 183 F.2d 768. This Court granted certiorari. 340 U.S. 890. Reversed, p. 341 U. S. 232.