offer of immunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offer of immunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts when discussing the provision of protection from prosecution in exchange for testimony or information. Example: "The defendant accepted the offer of immunity in order to provide crucial evidence against the accomplices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

No offer of immunity from prosecution was extended, he said.

The New York Times

An offer of immunity for Mr. Rodriguez's testimony could make prosecuting him difficult or impossible, legal experts say.

The New York Times

In 1992 he told detectives he had kicked Blakelock, after being told of the offer of immunity.

The Guardian

Aides to General Petraeus have said that he made no such promises, and that an offer of immunity was never extended.

The New York Times

It is unconvincing to argue, as the government did in court, that its pre-summit offer of immunity to Bashir superseded its international obligations under the Rome statute, which created the ICC.

The Guardian

Mr. Corneau accepted an offer of immunity for himself, his wife and three other sect members, and led the authorities to a park in Maine where the babies were buried in pine coffins.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Offers of immunity need to be made to any police officers still with information so that, finally, the jigsaw puzzle can be completed in all its dark and depressing detail.

The Guardian - Opinion

At least some White House employees have been asked to meet informally with the prosecutor in what appeared to be a possible effort to obtain voluntary admissions of wrongdoing in exchange for offers of immunity, the officials said.

The New York Times

Despite offers of immunity from prosecution, four ex-Marines and a former Navy corpsman have refused to testify against Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins in his retrial in the 2006 killing of an Iraqi.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Pugash hinted in a radio interview today that any relatives would be treated with understanding, but he declined to offer any guarantees of immunity.

The New York Times

Has he been offered some kind of immunity?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or political situations, use "offer of immunity" to clearly indicate a proposal to protect someone from prosecution in exchange for cooperation or information. Ensure the context clarifies the conditions and scope of the immunity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that an "offer of immunity" provides blanket protection. Always specify the crimes or actions covered by the immunity, as it's often limited to specific situations or testimonies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offer of immunity" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object or subject of a verb. It describes the act of presenting protection from legal prosecution. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples show it in contexts related to legal and political negotiations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "offer of immunity" refers to a proposal to grant protection from prosecution, typically in exchange for cooperation or information. As Ludwig AI reports, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and legal contexts. Related phrases include "grant of immunity" and "immunity agreement". When using this phrase, clarify the specific scope and conditions of the immunity to avoid misinterpretations. While not extremely common, the phrase is recognized and understood, particularly in discussions about law and politics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grant of immunity

Replaces "offer" with "grant", emphasizing the act of bestowing immunity.

Proffer of immunity

Uses "proffer" as a more formal synonym for "offer", suitable for legal contexts.

Immunity agreement

Focuses on the agreement aspect, implying a formal arrangement.

Pledge of immunity

Emphasizes the commitment to providing immunity.

Guarantee of immunity

Highlights the assurance that immunity will be provided.

Assurance of immunity

Similar to guarantee, but with a slightly less formal tone.

Immunity deal

A more colloquial term for an immunity agreement.

Exemption from prosecution

Explains the practical outcome of immunity: avoiding prosecution.

Safe passage from prosecution

Metaphorically describes immunity as a guarantee of avoiding legal action.

Protection from legal action

Broadly describes the effect of immunity without explicitly mentioning it.

FAQs

When is an "offer of immunity" typically made?

An "offer of immunity" is typically made by prosecutors or law enforcement to a person who has information about a crime, in exchange for their testimony or cooperation. This helps them gain insights they might not otherwise access.

What does an "offer of immunity" actually protect against?

An "offer of immunity" generally protects a person from being prosecuted for crimes they may have been involved in, provided they fully cooperate and provide truthful information. However, the scope can vary depending on the specific agreement.

What are some alternatives to saying "offer of immunity"?

You can use alternatives like "grant of immunity", "immunity agreement", or "exemption from prosecution" depending on the context.

What happens if someone violates the terms of an "offer of immunity"?

If someone violates the terms of an "offer of immunity", such as by lying or withholding information, they can be prosecuted for the original crimes, as well as for perjury or obstruction of justice.