criminalise

Criminalise is a verb meaning to make something illegal by law or to subject it to criminal penalties. In legal systems that rely on codified statutes, governments enact laws that define acts as offences and prescribe punishments. When conduct is criminalised, individuals found to engage in that conduct may be prosecuted under the criminal justice system and, if convicted, punished by penalties such as fines, imprisonment, or community service. Criminalisation often involves the creation of offences within a country's criminal code or specific statutes, and the process typically requires legislative action by parliament or equivalent bodies, sometimes with regulatory or administrative agencies involved in enforcement.

Criminalisation can target acts, omissions, or even associations. It is distinct from civil regulation or administrative penalties, though some actions may incur both criminal and civil consequences. The degree of severity and how criminalisation is implemented vary by jurisdiction and may be subject to constitutional safeguards, due process, and proportionality standards. Debates around criminalisation commonly address public safety and moral concerns versus civil liberties, potential overreach, and social or racial disparities in enforcement. Critics warn that expanding criminalisation can foster over-criminalization, stigmatize individuals, and impose long-term consequences through criminal records. Examples include the criminalisation of drug possession in some jurisdictions, theft, fraud, or driving under the influence. Some policies advocate decriminalisation or depenalisation, which remove or lessen criminal penalties for certain acts while maintaining some form of sanction or regulation.