first-time offenders
Criminal record virgins
First-time offenders are people who have committed a crime or violation for the first time, with no prior record.
The legal system often treats them more leniently than repeat offenders, offering reduced sentences, probation, or diversion programs: The judge gave first-time offenders the option of community service.
The term appears in discussions of criminal justice reform and sentencing guidelines.
- juvenileYoung person or animal
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- probationSupervised trial period
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- slap on the wristTrivially lenient penalty
second-chance · misdemeanor · sentencing · court · criminal justice system · diversion · parole · judge · remorse · mistake · youthful · scared straight · nonviolent · plea · plea bargain · record · clean record · forgiveness
first-time offendersrepeat offenders
Habitual criminals who relapse
habitual offenders · recidivists · career criminals · reoffenders · habitual criminals
first-time offendershabitual criminals
Repeat lawbreakers by pattern
first, offender, offend, offends, offended, offending, offense, offenses, offensive