Legal Definitions - episodic criminal

An episodic criminal is a person who commits crimes sporadically or only during periods of intense stress, such as in the heat of passion. This is different from a habitual criminal, who repeatedly commits crimes.

For example, someone who has never committed a crime before may lash out and commit a violent act during a heated argument with their partner. This would make them an episodic criminal, as they only committed the crime during a specific period of stress.

Another example could be someone who steals food to feed their family during a time of financial hardship. This person may not have a history of theft, but their actions were driven by a specific circumstance.

Overall, an episodic criminal is someone who does not have a pattern of criminal behavior, but rather commits crimes in response to specific situations or stressors.