Privileges And Immunities Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Privileges And Immunities, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Privileges And Immunities?

History and Meaning of Privileges And Immunities

The Privileges And Immunities clause, also known as the Comity Clause, is a provision found in the United States Constitution. This clause assures that the citizens of each state are entitled to enjoy the privileges and immunities of citizens in all the states. It means that the states cannot discriminate against citizens from other states or give them unequal treatment under the law.

The clause wasn't added until 1868 when the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified, which granted citizenship to former slaves. Since then, the privileges and immunities clause has been used as the basis for many significant Supreme Court decisions, including laws regarding education, taxation, and personal freedoms.

Examples of Privileges And Immunities

1. A citizen of Florida has the right to purchase property in New York and enjoy the same rights and privileges as any citizen of that state, including the right to vote and own a business.
2. A resident of Alabama must be afforded the same protection under the law while visiting Louisiana as they would have at home.
3. A student studying abroad from any state can expect to receive the same diploma and be recognized equally to any other student.

Legal Terms Similar to Privileges And Immunities

1. Equal Protection Clause - part of the Fourteenth Amendment that mandates that states must have equal law for all
2. Full Faith and Credit Clause - article IV, section 1 of the Constitution, which requires that each state recognizes the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state
3. Supremacy Clause - the clause in the Constitution that specifies that federal laws prevail over state laws when there is a conflict