depenalize
Stop punishing legally
To depenalize is to remove or reduce penalties for something, especially legal ones.
The word typically appears in discussions of drug policy or other criminal justice reform: Several states have moved to depenalize marijuana possession.
Unlike legalize, depenalize suggests the activity remains discouraged but no longer carries harsh punishment.
Abolish penalties for
- legalizeMake officially permitted
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
- acquitFind not liable
absolve · pardon · expunge · vacate · quash · annul · nullify · overturn
Ending criminal status
- legalizationMaking something lawful
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- amendmentChange to official text
- liberalizationReducing state economic controls
policy change · modernization · revision · criminal justice reform · sentencing reform · drug policy · harm reduction · progressive reform
Merciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
reprieve · second chance · rehabilitation · restorative justice · forbearance · mitigation · reduced sentence · humanitarian
decriminalize
Abolish penalties for
acquit · absolve · pardon · expunge · vacate · quash · annul · nullify · overturn · rescind
decriminalization
Ending criminal status
- legalizationMaking something lawful
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- amendmentChange to official text
policy change · liberalization · modernization · revision · criminal justice reform · sentencing reform · drug policy · harm reduction · progressive reform · law reform
clemency
Merciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
grace · reprieve · second chance · rehabilitation · restorative justice · forbearance · mitigation · reduced sentence · humanitarian · discretion
penalty, penalize, penal, penalized, penalizing, penalizes, penal colony, penology, penal code