Legal Definitions - immunity

Immunity is a legal protection that prevents a person from being punished or facing legal action. This protection can be granted in different situations, such as criminal cases, civil cases, administrative proceedings, and legislative inquiries.

• A witness may be granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for their testimony in a criminal case.
• A government official may have immunity from being sued for actions taken in their official capacity.
• A diplomat may have diplomatic immunity, which means they cannot be arrested or prosecuted in the country they are serving in.

These examples illustrate how immunity can be granted in different situations to protect individuals from legal consequences. In the case of a witness, immunity may be granted to encourage them to provide information that could be helpful in a criminal investigation. In the case of a government official, immunity may be granted to ensure they can perform their duties without fear of being sued. In the case of a diplomat, immunity may be granted to protect them from being harassed or arrested while serving in a foreign country.