What are the specific differences between something being legal and decriminalized, especially if it is labeled as completely legal/decriminalized? What examples of this exist?
law legislation
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What are the specific differences between something being legal and decriminalized, especially if it is labeled as completely legal/decriminalized? What examples of this exist?
law legislation
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J.Zelez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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What are the specific differences between something being legal and decriminalized, especially if it is labeled as completely legal/decriminalized? What examples of this exist?
law legislation
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J.Zelez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What are the specific differences between something being legal and decriminalized, especially if it is labeled as completely legal/decriminalized? What examples of this exist?
law legislation
law legislation
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J.Zelez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
J.ZelezJ.Zelez
334
334
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4 Answers
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Decriminalization means that some action (e.g., drug consumption) is no longer considered a criminal action, which means that you're no longer sent to jail or get a criminal record. However, you may still face fines, confiscation of relevant goods and other consequences.
Sources:
Decriminalization versus Legalization of Marijuana (ThoughCo)
The difference between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work (New Statesman)
The difference between legalisation and decriminalisation (The Economist, behind paywall)
Decriminalization or Legalization? The Abortion Debate in Italy (Women & Criminal Justice)
The Polygamy Question (Janet Bennion, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe)
add a comment |
If something is illegal, it carries with it punitive measures. If it is decriminalized, it no longer carries such punitive measures. It is important to note though, that it may still be illegal. Often such laws eventually disappear through other legislation.
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Something that decriminalized is still technically illegal, but there is no punishment for it and law enforcement does nor pursue people for it. People previously convicted of the crime are not usually pardoned.
add a comment |
My understanding is that the difference is this:
- If something is made legal, there will inevitably be some kind of government legislation or regulation surrounding it, and breaching those regulations will land you in jail.
- If it's merely decriminalised, that legislation does not exist. You are free to perform the action or consume the product as you see fit, and the government can't stop you.
An example would be marijuana use. In some countries it's been legalised, but this means you need a government license in order to sell marijuana, you can only buy marijuana from people with those licenses, and if you break either of those rules, you go to jail. In others, it's been decriminalised, so anyone can sell marijuana.
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Decriminalization means that some action (e.g., drug consumption) is no longer considered a criminal action, which means that you're no longer sent to jail or get a criminal record. However, you may still face fines, confiscation of relevant goods and other consequences.
Sources:
Decriminalization versus Legalization of Marijuana (ThoughCo)
The difference between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work (New Statesman)
The difference between legalisation and decriminalisation (The Economist, behind paywall)
Decriminalization or Legalization? The Abortion Debate in Italy (Women & Criminal Justice)
The Polygamy Question (Janet Bennion, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe)
add a comment |
Decriminalization means that some action (e.g., drug consumption) is no longer considered a criminal action, which means that you're no longer sent to jail or get a criminal record. However, you may still face fines, confiscation of relevant goods and other consequences.
Sources:
Decriminalization versus Legalization of Marijuana (ThoughCo)
The difference between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work (New Statesman)
The difference between legalisation and decriminalisation (The Economist, behind paywall)
Decriminalization or Legalization? The Abortion Debate in Italy (Women & Criminal Justice)
The Polygamy Question (Janet Bennion, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe)
add a comment |
Decriminalization means that some action (e.g., drug consumption) is no longer considered a criminal action, which means that you're no longer sent to jail or get a criminal record. However, you may still face fines, confiscation of relevant goods and other consequences.
Sources:
Decriminalization versus Legalization of Marijuana (ThoughCo)
The difference between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work (New Statesman)
The difference between legalisation and decriminalisation (The Economist, behind paywall)
Decriminalization or Legalization? The Abortion Debate in Italy (Women & Criminal Justice)
The Polygamy Question (Janet Bennion, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe)
Decriminalization means that some action (e.g., drug consumption) is no longer considered a criminal action, which means that you're no longer sent to jail or get a criminal record. However, you may still face fines, confiscation of relevant goods and other consequences.
Sources:
Decriminalization versus Legalization of Marijuana (ThoughCo)
The difference between decriminalisation and legalisation of sex work (New Statesman)
The difference between legalisation and decriminalisation (The Economist, behind paywall)
Decriminalization or Legalization? The Abortion Debate in Italy (Women & Criminal Justice)
The Polygamy Question (Janet Bennion, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe)
edited 1 hour ago
answered 1 hour ago
Frank from FrankfurtFrank from Frankfurt
8417
8417
add a comment |
add a comment |
If something is illegal, it carries with it punitive measures. If it is decriminalized, it no longer carries such punitive measures. It is important to note though, that it may still be illegal. Often such laws eventually disappear through other legislation.
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
add a comment |
If something is illegal, it carries with it punitive measures. If it is decriminalized, it no longer carries such punitive measures. It is important to note though, that it may still be illegal. Often such laws eventually disappear through other legislation.
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
add a comment |
If something is illegal, it carries with it punitive measures. If it is decriminalized, it no longer carries such punitive measures. It is important to note though, that it may still be illegal. Often such laws eventually disappear through other legislation.
If something is illegal, it carries with it punitive measures. If it is decriminalized, it no longer carries such punitive measures. It is important to note though, that it may still be illegal. Often such laws eventually disappear through other legislation.
answered 2 hours ago


ouflakouflak
1,311612
1,311612
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
Should your first sentence be something like "When something is made illegal, it carries with it punitive measures"? Although there are examples of token illegality, where something is made into a crime without a punishment.
– origimbo
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Something that decriminalized is still technically illegal, but there is no punishment for it and law enforcement does nor pursue people for it. People previously convicted of the crime are not usually pardoned.
add a comment |
Something that decriminalized is still technically illegal, but there is no punishment for it and law enforcement does nor pursue people for it. People previously convicted of the crime are not usually pardoned.
add a comment |
Something that decriminalized is still technically illegal, but there is no punishment for it and law enforcement does nor pursue people for it. People previously convicted of the crime are not usually pardoned.
Something that decriminalized is still technically illegal, but there is no punishment for it and law enforcement does nor pursue people for it. People previously convicted of the crime are not usually pardoned.
answered 2 hours ago
useruser
8,64721835
8,64721835
add a comment |
add a comment |
My understanding is that the difference is this:
- If something is made legal, there will inevitably be some kind of government legislation or regulation surrounding it, and breaching those regulations will land you in jail.
- If it's merely decriminalised, that legislation does not exist. You are free to perform the action or consume the product as you see fit, and the government can't stop you.
An example would be marijuana use. In some countries it's been legalised, but this means you need a government license in order to sell marijuana, you can only buy marijuana from people with those licenses, and if you break either of those rules, you go to jail. In others, it's been decriminalised, so anyone can sell marijuana.
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
add a comment |
My understanding is that the difference is this:
- If something is made legal, there will inevitably be some kind of government legislation or regulation surrounding it, and breaching those regulations will land you in jail.
- If it's merely decriminalised, that legislation does not exist. You are free to perform the action or consume the product as you see fit, and the government can't stop you.
An example would be marijuana use. In some countries it's been legalised, but this means you need a government license in order to sell marijuana, you can only buy marijuana from people with those licenses, and if you break either of those rules, you go to jail. In others, it's been decriminalised, so anyone can sell marijuana.
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
add a comment |
My understanding is that the difference is this:
- If something is made legal, there will inevitably be some kind of government legislation or regulation surrounding it, and breaching those regulations will land you in jail.
- If it's merely decriminalised, that legislation does not exist. You are free to perform the action or consume the product as you see fit, and the government can't stop you.
An example would be marijuana use. In some countries it's been legalised, but this means you need a government license in order to sell marijuana, you can only buy marijuana from people with those licenses, and if you break either of those rules, you go to jail. In others, it's been decriminalised, so anyone can sell marijuana.
My understanding is that the difference is this:
- If something is made legal, there will inevitably be some kind of government legislation or regulation surrounding it, and breaching those regulations will land you in jail.
- If it's merely decriminalised, that legislation does not exist. You are free to perform the action or consume the product as you see fit, and the government can't stop you.
An example would be marijuana use. In some countries it's been legalised, but this means you need a government license in order to sell marijuana, you can only buy marijuana from people with those licenses, and if you break either of those rules, you go to jail. In others, it's been decriminalised, so anyone can sell marijuana.
answered 1 hour ago


F1KrazyF1Krazy
306128
306128
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
add a comment |
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
This answer seems to contradict most of the others. Do you have any sources/links to back up these definitions?
– Bobson
56 mins ago
add a comment |
J.Zelez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
J.Zelez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
J.Zelez is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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