Some terrible imperials break imperial law and get away with it because it is not enforced without active and aggressive Imperial Immortals, or active well-roleplayed mortal Imperial Leaders willing to anathema and weaken their cabal numbers wise. Most of the time I think you're right - imperials that want to succeed with their characters don't break imperial law. But obviously some well known imperials do it and have gotten away with it, despite whatever "immortal warning systems" you're talking about. I think of it like Tribunals breaking Tribunal Law. Most of the time it doesn't happen. But damn if every Outlander I've ever played doesn't get a completely bullshit flag just because a Tribunal wants to use manacles.

Anyway, here's the timeline from Kjrorh's pbf. Notice 16 days pass between an immortal noting he broke the law to Kjrorh getting anathema'd for something completely different:


Tue Oct 14 09:59:54 2008 by 'Daevryn' at level 51 (339 hrs):
Hi! Assassinating Charunycain in Hamsah like you just did? See, that breaks a little something we like to fall Imperial Fucking Law.


SIXTEEN DAYS LATER:


Thu Oct 30 08:07:15 2008 at level 51 (363 hrs):
Enlilth has made Kjrorh Anathema to the Empire.