decriminalizing
Lifting legal prohibitions
Decriminalizing is removing criminal penalties from an activity while potentially keeping it regulated or subject to civil fines.
Unlike legalizing, which makes something fully lawful, decriminalizing typically means you won't face arrest or jail time but might still receive citations: Several states have decriminalized marijuana possession.
The approach often applies to drug use, sex work, or other activities where criminal penalties are seen as counterproductive.
Make officially permitted
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- expungementOfficial record removal
- nonprosecutionRefraining from criminal charges
- acquitFind not liable
exonerate · absolve · discharge · dismiss · repeal · rescind · abrogate · quash
Redirection of attention
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
pardons · commutation · restorative · rehabilitation · probation · harm-reduction · regulation · enforcement
Change to official text
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- activismDirect effort for reform
lobbying · legislation · referendum · progressive · bipartisan · grassroots · campaign · movement
Absence of constraint
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- liberationRelease from constraint
self-determination · choice · privacy · consent · civil-liberties · sovereignty · dignity · agency
legalize
Make officially permitted
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- expungementOfficial record removal
- nonprosecutionRefraining from criminal charges
acquit · exonerate · absolve · discharge · dismiss · repeal · rescind · abrogate · quash · overturn
diversion
Redirection of attention
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- discretionarySubject to personal judgment
clemency · pardons · commutation · restorative · rehabilitation · probation · harm-reduction · regulation · enforcement · prosecution
amendment
Change to official text
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- advocacyPleading for a cause
activism · lobbying · legislation · referendum · progressive · bipartisan · grassroots · campaign · movement · coalition
freedom
Absence of constraint
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
liberation · self-determination · choice · privacy · consent · civil-liberties · sovereignty · dignity · agency
decriminalizingcriminalizing
Rendering an act unlawful
prohibiting · outlawing · banning · illegalizing · proscribing
decriminalizingrestricting
Placing limits upon
policing · regulating · controlling · cracking down · enforcing
crime, criminal, incriminate, incrimination, anticrime, criminologist, crimefighting, decriminalize, criminalize