Not all trials are criminal. In fact, the vast majority are civil. To expose elected politicians to criminal liability would completely stymie them: laws are ro

Not all trials are criminal. In fact, the vast majority are civil. To expose elected politicians to criminal liability would completely stymie them: laws are routinely struck down for all sorts of reasons, and it would be almost impossible for a single parliamentarian (who usually has a staff of two or three, max) to foresee all challenges. I know this "Snooper's Charter" evokes strong feelings, which makes it a bad example. The courts also have enough power already to make their judgements stick. Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in the US, and it didn't take any jail sentences to make that right a reality, even though roughly 40% of the population are vehemently opposed. To see a particularly crass example that comes close to your fantasy, see Joe Arpaio, one of the very few politicians to actually defy a court long enough to be convicted of criminal charges.