decriminalization
/diːˌkrɪmɪnələˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The practical or effective removal of criminal penalties for specific actions, resulting in a state where individuals are no longer prosecuted for those behaviors.
Etymology
The word is formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'off' or 'away') attached to 'criminalize,' which derives from the Latin 'crimen' (meaning 'judgment' or 'offense'). It entered English usage as a legal term to describe the shift from making an act a crime to treating it as non-criminal.
In the news
A district attorney uses this term to argue that a federal court order limiting treatment stays at the state hospital will force the dismissal of criminal cases, effectively allowing defendants to avoid prosecution. It highlights the prosecutor's concern that the legal system is losing its ability to hold defendants accountable.
Portland-area District Attorneys sound alarm on Oregon Mental Health System crisis
Read the full article ↗KATU