first-time offender
Debut lawbreaker here
A first-time offender is someone who has committed a crime but has no prior criminal record.
The term appears most often in legal contexts, where first-time offenders may receive lighter sentences, probation, or diversion programs: The judge was lenient because she was a first-time offender.
The designation implies a chance at rehabilitation rather than punishment.
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- virginOne sexually inexperienced
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
juvenile court · judge · sentence · slap on the wrist · leniency · probation · parole · good behavior · arrest · charge · mistake · youth · naive · scared · remorse · jail · rehabilitation · second-chance
first-time offenderrepeat offender
Person repeatedly convicted
recidivist · habitual offender · career criminal · chronic offender · habitual criminal
first, offender, offend, offends, offended, offending, offense, offenses, offensive