👉 In the context of criminal law, a recidivist is someone who commits the same crime again and again. This can happen in different ways, such as through the use of a weapon or explosives, possession of drugs, or theft. Recidivism rates are often high for people who have committed these crimes before. Recidivism can be seen as a negative outcome of criminal behavior, which means that individuals who commit the same crime again and again may face more severe consequences than those who do not