The act of making an activity or substance no longer criminalized (no longer a crime, subject to criminal penalties, to perform or possess). (Compare legalization, which often implies regulation.)
Used in a Sentence
decriminalization
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for decriminalization.
Editorial note
Most arguments against decriminalization are extremely short sighted, just look at the positive effect it's having in Portugal.
Examples17
Definitions2
Parts of speech1
Quick take
The act of making an activity or substance no longer criminalized (no longer a crime, subject to criminal penalties, to perform or possess). (Compare legalization, which often implies regulation.)
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of decriminalization gathered in one view.
The act of ceasing to treat a person as a criminal, by making their activities legal or no longer subjecting them to the criminal justice system (but instead possibly the mental healthcare system, etc).
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for decriminalization.
noun
The act of making an activity or substance no longer criminalized (no longer a crime, subject to criminal penalties, to perform or possess). (Compare legalization, which often implies regulation.)
noun
The act of ceasing to treat a person as a criminal, by making their activities legal or no longer subjecting them to the criminal justice system (but instead possibly the mental healthcare system, etc).
Example sentences
Most arguments against decriminalization are extremely short sighted, just look at the positive effect it's having in Portugal.
Edit: As the response to another post has stated, there may be avenues opened after decriminalization to appeal convictions.
The Nordic model is another model of decriminalization that places responsibility on the individuals who buy sex.
Recent drug decriminalization and legalization will eventually cause firing DEA agents, corrections officers and even police officers.
After the decriminalization of those practices, they disappeared entirely (in their then-current form; homosexuality itself obviously did not end).
Full decriminalization by it's very nature makes pimping legal -- that's one of its tenants.
The same cannot be said for drug prohibition (see: American alcohol prohibition, Portugal's drug decriminalization).
I suspect this has less to do with decriminalization and more to do with earning some quick cash.
I think full legalization will provide the most benefits to society, but decriminalization of use is a good start.
I generally support decriminalization or even legalization, but I would be reluctant to allow internet sales.
The problems it mentions have been shown to be reduced by the Nordic Model, when in every case of legalization/full decriminalization no such claims have been made/substantiated.
The difference between decriminalization and legalizing trade is significant.
Quote examples
This is basically a blanket decriminalization of all computer intrusions, since virtually all hacking boils down to access to a computer in an "unexpected" way.
This is why most economists' reaction was "nobody could see it coming" and their policy recommendation response to the crisis was " even more of the same, please" (deregulation, desupervision and de-facto decriminalization).
If that means decriminalization plus inspections, licensing, and other bureaucratic accoutrements, spare me the moralizing — that's what we should do." "Has anyone gotten hurt or killed following bad GPS directions?" - "A Senegalese man driving through Spain wasn’t so lucky.
> This is why most economists' reaction was "nobody could see it coming" and their policy recommendation response to the crisis was "even more of the same, please" (deregulation, desupervision and de-facto decriminalization).
Proper noun examples
Decriminalization of most drugs and instead of giving prison time they give treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use decriminalization in a sentence?
Most arguments against decriminalization are extremely short sighted, just look at the positive effect it's having in Portugal.
What does decriminalization mean?
The act of making an activity or substance no longer criminalized (no longer a crime, subject to criminal penalties, to perform or possess). (Compare legalization, which often implies regulation.)
What part of speech is decriminalization?
decriminalization is commonly used as noun.