Decriminalization

Pronunciation: /diːˌkrɪmənələˈzeɪʃən/

Decriminalization (noun)

  1. A change in law that stops treating an act as a crime, so it is no longer punished as criminal behaviour.
  2. A legal reform where an action moves from criminal penalties to non-criminal rules, such as fines or administrative actions.

Examples

  • Decriminalization removes criminal status for small offenses.
  • The policy decriminalization removes criminal status for certain acts.