Pennsylvania Code Rule 8.4. Comment Many kinds of illegal conduct reflect adversely on fitness to practice law, such as offenses involving fraud and the offense of willful failure to file an income tax return. However, some kinds of offense carry no such implication. Traditionally, the distinction was drawn in terms of offenses involving ''moral turpitude.'' That concept can be construed to include offenses concerning some matters of personal morality, such as adultery and comparable offenses, that have no specific connection to fitness for the practice of law. Although a lawyer is personally answerable to the entire criminal law, a lawyer should be professionally answerable only for offenses that indicate lack of those characteristics relevant to law practice.
Offenses involving violence, dishonesty or breach of trust are in that category.
A pattern of repeated offenses, even ones of minor significance when considered separately, can indicate indifference to legal obligation. As an officer of the court, a lawyer should be particularly sensitive to conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. An example of a type of conduct that may prejudice the administration of justice is violation of an applicable order of court. A lawyer may refuse to comply with an obligation imposed by law upon a good faith belief that no valid obligation exists. Lawyers holding public office assume legal responsibilities going beyond those of other citizens.