Which term describes a person who continuously commits crimes after prior convictions?

• A. Habitual offender
• B. Delinquent
• C. Recidivist
• D. Repeat offender

Answer: (C)

Reoffending after a prior conviction is described by the term recidivist. Recidivism means the tendency to commit new crimes after punishment or conviction, highlighting an ongoing cycle of offenses rather than a one-time lapse. This makes recidivist the best fit for someone who continues to commit crimes after being convicted before.

Habitual offender is a legal designation tied to multiple offenses and often used to trigger enhanced penalties. A repeat offender is a broad label for someone who offends again, but it doesn’t specifically emphasize the post-conviction pattern. A delinquent generally refers to a young person who commits crimes and isn’t necessarily defined by post-conviction recurrence.