Exemption from punishment (8)
I believe the answer is:
impunity
'exemption from punishment' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for impunity that I've seen before include "impossibility of punishment" , "Not subject to the normal consequences" , "Exemption from punishment or loss" , "Complete protection from unpleasant consequences" , "Rascal, by agreement, gets exemption" .)