The author presents the comprehensive state of knowledge, notions and opinions concerning punishment, punishing and impunity of Polish criminal division judges in district, regional and appeal courts. The sociological analysis of judicial sentencing is based on data gathered in questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The questions concerned the definition of punishment, determining the functions, aims, qualities and aspects of the punishment, the multidisciplinary penological knowledge of judges, the factors taken into account in administering punishment by judges, the mental and personal qualities needed in judicial profession, the opinions regarding too harsh or too lenient punishment as well as impunity as a sociological problem.