Habitual criminal is a legal term that applies to someone who has been convicted of a crime multiple times. It is intended to be a harsher and more punitive sentence to discourage the criminal from continuing to commit these types of offenses. In many jurisdictions, it is a term used to describe a person convicted of three or more felonies or other serious offenses.
When someone is declared a habitual criminal, the additional penalties they receive are harsher than the usual punishments for each of the crimes committed. This includes longer jail sentences, larger fines, and probation or parole periods. It may also include additional penalties, such as disqualification from certain jobs, the inability to receive certain benefits, and the revoking of driving and other types of privileges.
Example of Habitual Criminal Sentence
Let’s examine an example of a habitual criminal sentence. Suppose a person is found guilty of three different felonies. The judge can decide to declare them a habitual criminal, which would mean they would face a variety of additional penalties, such as a longer jail sentence, higher fines, and probation or parole periods.
The goal of a habitual criminal sentence is to deter criminal activity and ensure that the offender is held accountable for their actions. It is intended to be more punitive than other sentences, as it is meant to make the criminal think twice before committing similar crimes in the future.