>> 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.
Just in general... why does breaking imperial law make one a "terrible imperial"? I assumed that you mean terrible RP-wise, which really doesn't make sense. OE alignment doesn't say that you blindly follow rules - that would be orderly stupid.