Immunity levels vary

Here is how diplomatic immunity works and who falls under it, according to a U.S. State Department handbook.

What is diplomatic immunity?

It’s a level of insulation from U.S. law enforcement that varies from person to person. A diplomatic agent (think, another country’s ambassador at an embassy in Washington, D.C.) enjoys the highest level, along with his or her family. The technical and administrative staff (such as advisors or secretaries) and their families are a level below that, followed by service staff, which has the lowest level.

Do any of those apply to the car owner in Beverly Hills

What are the types of immunity available?

For diplomatic agents and their families, immunity is virtually all-encompassing. They cannot be handcuffed, arrested or detained, and neither they nor their property or vehicles can be entered or searched. They “cannot be prosecuted no matter how serious the offense,” unless their home country waives the immunity, the handbook says. They cannot be sued unless it involves behavior or a deal outside their scope as a diplomat.

Technical and administrative staff get the same criminal liability protection, but have no civil immunity unless it’s related to their official diplomatic mission. Service staff only have immunity from official acts on behalf of the diplomatic mission. Each country assigns a level of immunity to its diplomats, consular officers and staff in another country. If the United States wants to prosecute one of these people, it requests that the other country waive that person’s immunity.

So how is consular immunity different?

Unlike diplomatic agents, consular officers can be handcuffed, detained or arrested for felonies. Properties and vehicles can be entered and searched. Their families are not protected. Consular officers can be prosecuted for misdemeanors but keep their liberty.