Decriminalisation != legalisation IANAL but my understanding is that there are different types of "offences", some of them are "criminal offences" (e.g. theft,

Decriminalisation != legalisation IANAL but my understanding is that there are different types of "offences", some of them are "criminal offences" (e.g. theft, assault), others are just "offences" (e.g. speeding). Conviction of the latter do not result in a criminal record, and usually attract lower pernalties.