Immunity, Impunity

A marriage license should not be viewed as a license for a husband to forcibly rape his wife with impunity.” –Sol Wachtler, American Judge.

He was famous for that statement as a judge and bringing to the attention of his country and to the world that a spousal or marital rape is a criminal offence.

But he happened to act with impunity against his former client and girlfriend for which charges of blackmail, extortion and racketeering. The judge served a prison sentence for little over a year.

The judge is a testimony that human beings are not immune to misconduct especially holding Constitutional positions.

Immune functions as a noun and adjective. If you are immune to a disease, infection, or bad influences it means that you are not affected by infections, not influenced by something, or the other.

Some people are immune to persuasion that is they are not easily persuaded to yield to others.
Immune means being secure against something.

Immunity is a noun meaning state of being not influenced, not susceptible, the power of resistance, quality of being unaffected.

People are given a jab or injection in order to make them immune from diseases like typhoid. Immunization helps them to get resistance from infections, diseases, gives the power of resistance.

Immunity means protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty like action from the police or customs officers.

At times the government gives immunity to Naxalites from prosecution if they surrendered or give up their violent path.

“A child who is protected from all controversial ideas is as vulnerable as a child who is protected from every germ. The infection, when it comes – and it will come – may overwhelm the system, be it the immune system or the belief system.” –Jane Smiley

Diplomats enjoy diplomatic immunity meaning they are not arrested by the police immediately for their misconduct or crimes.

Immune and immunity comes from the Latin word immunis meaning exempt, free. Impunity means exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action, without punishment.

Immunity means exception: MPs enjoy immunity from getting arrested when the parliament is in session for their wrongdoing or apparent criminal charge.

Impunity comes from the Latin word impunitatemand impunitas meaning freedom from punishment, omission of punishment; from impunismeaning unpunished, without punishment.

Impunity is a privilege enjoyed by a person for holding an important and responsible position such as politicians in power, judges, military officers, diplomats and others. But everyone is immune to a loss of somebody in their lives.