Social:Absolute immunity

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Absolute immunity is a form of legal immunity for government officials that confers total immunity from criminal prosecution and lawsuits so long as they are acting within the scope of their duties.[1] Absolute immunity contrasts with qualified immunity, which only applies if specified conditions are met. In common law jurisdictions, absolute civil immunity applies in the following circumstances:

  • lawmakers engaged in the legislative process;[2]
  • judges acting in their judicial capacity;[3]
  • government prosecutors while making charging decisions (although prosecutors are only entitled to qualified immunity if they are acting outside of their function as a prosecutor);[4]
  • witnesses while testifying in court (although the witness may be prosecuted for perjury if the testimony is deliberately false);[5]
  • lawyers in certain circumstances related to fraud[6]

See also

  • Immunity from prosecution
  • Zieper v. Metzinger

Notes

  1. Absolute Immunity. Louisiana State University Medical and Public Health Law Site.
  2. Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 US 409, 418 1976
  3. Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 US 409, 418 1976
  4. Buckley v. Fitzsimmons, 509 US 259 1993
  5. Rehberg v. Paulk, 132 S.Ct. 1497 2012
  6. "Connecticut Court Rules That Lawyers Can't Be Sued for Fraud". Insurancejournal.com