Habitual Offender Laws - How do they Operate in Reality?

During the last decades many countries made an attempt to protect themselves against habitual offenders. Special legislation was elaborated to deal with recidivism and the punishment for such criminals became harsher.
Who is a habitual offender? For example in Florida, US, a "habitual felony offender" means a person who previously has been convicted for two or more felonies in Florida and for whom an extended term of imprisonment may be imposed by the court. Such a person may be accordingly prosecuted if committed felonies including aggravated assault, rape, child abuse and murder.
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