Legal immunity from suit or liability (in civil litigation) or immunity from prosecution (in criminal prosecutions) is a legal status that protects an individual or entity from liability or criminal prosecution. Immunity may be given to the person or entity by law (usually a state or federal statute) or by the agreement of a party to the litigation (usually in the context of a criminal prosecution)—generally for some greater policy goal. Some common types of immunity include (1) judicial immunity; (2) witness immunity; (3) diplomatic immunity; and (4) governmental or sovereign immunity.

In Washington State, legal immunity encompasses various forms where individuals or entities are protected from civil liability or criminal prosecution. Judicial immunity in Washington shields judges from liability for acts performed in their judicial capacity, unless they acted in the clear absence of all jurisdiction. Witness immunity is provided to witnesses for testimony given in court, protecting them from being sued based on that testimony. Diplomatic immunity, governed by federal law and international treaties, applies to foreign diplomats and provides them with protection from civil and criminal jurisdiction of the host country's courts. Governmental or sovereign immunity in Washington generally protects state and local government entities from being sued without their consent, although the state has waived its immunity to a certain extent under the Washington State Tort Claims Act, allowing for lawsuits in specific circumstances. It's important to note that these immunities can have exceptions and limitations, and the application of immunity can be complex, often requiring analysis by an attorney.