Diplomatic Immunity
The notion of diplomatic immunity is among the touchiest and most controversial issues that routinely crops up in matters of international law. From best-selling crime novel thrillers to primetime television courtroom dramas, it is portrayed as a bullet-proof defense for the most blatant and heinous of offenses.
There is no getting around the fact that diplomatic immunity can be tough to fight. Established formally by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1961, this idea has existed in some form or another for hundreds of years. The basic premise today is that anyone working for a foreign government in a diplomatic setting cannot be subjected to criminal or civil proceedings in another country, although he or she can always been expelled by the host country.
While it is intended to preserve positive international relations, diplomatic immunity can also be incredibly frustrating for law enforcement authorities – one of the many perks of diplomacy in a place that recognizes the Vienna code is that parking violations are essentially meaningless. Even in more grievous cases, seeing justice served is sometimes difficult, as a host nation must request permission from the diplomat’s country to try him or her by their courts.
In the past several years, a slew of complaints have come forward around the world in which a diplomat’s recklessness (specifically related to drunk driving) resulted in the serious injury or death of several people. If the native country refuses to let that person be tried, the host nation is essentially powerless to do anything but kick him or her out.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love has been affected by the negligent actions of someone claiming diplomatic immunity, you will need the assistance of an experienced legal professional. Contact the Green Bay personal injury attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®, by calling 800-242-2874 to discuss the facts of your case.
