The phrase "upstanding member" means a person who is considered honest, honorable, and of good character in their community or society. Full definition
It can mold us into fine upstanding members of society, or not. (treehugger.com)
Crazy people claim lots of things but something tells me that if a random person on the street told you that he could fly, you would be a skeptic but make him a more upstanding member of society and all of a sudden it's not so insane? (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Yet, they are considered upstanding members of society, whereas Cora and Frank are common criminals who must be punished. (filmnoirblonde.com)