Decriminalization: Difference between revisions
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*[[Abortion]] (see: [[abortion law]] and [[abortion-rights movements]]) | *[[Abortion]] (see: [[abortion law]] and [[abortion-rights movements]]) | ||
*[[Assisted suicide]] | |||
*[[Breastfeeding in public]] | *[[Breastfeeding in public]] | ||
*[[Drug possession]] | *[[Clothing laws by country|Clothing laws]] (including [[cross-dressing]], see: [[cross-dressing#Legal issues|legal issues]]) | ||
*[[Drug possession]] and [[recreational drug use]] (see: [[drug liberalization]]) | |||
*[[Euthanasia]] (see: [[legality of euthanasia]]) | *[[Euthanasia]] (see: [[legality of euthanasia]]) | ||
*[[Gambling]] (see: [[gambling age]]) | *[[Gambling]] (see: [[gambling age]]) | ||
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*[[Polygamy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660214924,00.html |title=Forum focuses on polygamy woes |date=April 25, 2007 |publisher=Deseret Morning News |access-date=2009-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602152122/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660214924,00.html |archive-date=June 2, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (see: [[legality of polygamy]]) | *[[Polygamy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660214924,00.html |title=Forum focuses on polygamy woes |date=April 25, 2007 |publisher=Deseret Morning News |access-date=2009-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602152122/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660214924,00.html |archive-date=June 2, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (see: [[legality of polygamy]]) | ||
*[[Poverty]] (see: [[criminalization of poverty]]) | *[[Poverty]] (see: [[criminalization of poverty]]) | ||
*[[Prostitution]] (see: [[decriminalization of sex work]]) | *[[Prostitution]] and [[sex work]] (see: [[decriminalization of sex work]]) | ||
*[[Public nudity]] | *[[Public nudity]] | ||
*[[Ergogenic use of anabolic steroids| | *[[Ergogenic use of anabolic steroids|Steroid use in sport]] | ||
*[[Suicide]] (see: [[suicide legislation]]) | *[[Suicide]] (see: [[suicide legislation]]) | ||
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*[[Public-order crime]] | *[[Public-order crime]] | ||
*[[Sex worker]] | *[[Sex worker]] | ||
*[[Social libertarianism]] | |||
*[[Sodomy law]] | *[[Sodomy law]] | ||
*[[Timeline of LGBT history]] | *[[Timeline of LGBT history]] | ||
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[[Category:Philosophy of law]] | [[Category:Philosophy of law]] | ||
[[Category:Criminal justice reform]] | [[Category:Criminal justice reform]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:45, 6 June 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Decriminalization or decriminalisation is the legislative process which removes prosecutions against an action so that the action remains illegal but has no criminal penalties or at most some civil fine.[1] This reform is sometimes applied retroactively but otherwise comes into force from either the enactment of the law or from a specified date. In some cases regulated permits or fines may still apply (for contrast, see: legalization), and associated aspects of the original criminalized act may remain or become specifically classified as crimes. The term was coined by anthropologist Jennifer James to express sex workers' movements' "goals of removing laws used to target prostitutes", although it is now commonly applied to drug policies.[2] The reverse process is criminalization.
Decriminalization reflects changing social and moral views. A society may come to the view that an act is not harmful, should no longer be criminalised, or is otherwise not a matter to be addressed by the criminal justice system. Examples of subject matter which have been the subject of changing views on criminality over time in various societies and countries include:
- Abortion (see: abortion law and abortion-rights movements)
- Assisted suicide
- Breastfeeding in public
- Clothing laws (including cross-dressing, see: legal issues)
- Drug possession and recreational drug use (see: drug liberalization)
- Euthanasia (see: legality of euthanasia)
- Gambling (see: gambling age)
- Homosexuality (see: decriminalization of homosexuality and LGBT rights by country or territory)
- Polygamy[3] (see: legality of polygamy)
- Poverty (see: criminalization of poverty)
- Prostitution and sex work (see: decriminalization of sex work)
- Public nudity
- Steroid use in sport
- Suicide (see: suicide legislation)
In a federal country, acts may be decriminalized by one level of government while still subject to penalties levied by another; for example, possession of a decriminalized drug may still be subject to criminal charges by one level of government, but another may yet impose a monetary fine. This should be contrasted with legalization, which removes all or most legal detriments from a previously illegal act.
Many countries have the practice of not imposing prison sentences for that are considered as illegal but a less serious crime under that country's law, such as personal use of cannabis or personal use of certain other drugs without a prescription from a doctor.
Drug-use decriminalization topics
- Colorado Amendment 64
- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
- Legal history of cannabis in the United States
- Legality of cannabis
- Marijuana Policy Project
- Psilocybin decriminalization in the United States
- Responsible drug use
- Timeline of cannabis law
- War on Drugs
See also
Template:Sister project Script error: No such module "Portal". Template:Div col
- Alcohol prohibition
- Decriminalization of sex work
- Drug liberalization
- Drug policy of the Soviet Union
- Legal issues of anabolic steroids
- Legalization
- Liberalization
- Prostitution in Belgium
- Prostitution in New Zealand
- Public-order crime
- Sex worker
- Social libertarianism
- Sodomy law
- Timeline of LGBT history
- Unenforced law
- Victimless crime