first offender
Crime scene newcomer
A first offender is someone convicted of a crime for the first time.
Courts often treat first offenders more leniently than repeat offenders, offering reduced sentences, probation, or diversion programs: As a first offender, she was eligible for community service instead of jail time.
The term appears frequently in legal contexts and sentencing discussions.
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- juvenileYoung person or animal
- youngNot yet mature
- minorScale with lowered third
- juvenile courtTribunal for minor defendants
youthful indiscretion · probation · community service · good behavior · leniency · court · judge · sentence · slap on the wrist · mercy · rehabilitation · parole · warning · second chance · fresh start · turning point · clean record · criminal record
- delinquentsjuvenile delinquent, delinquent, truant, hoodlum, hooligan
- captivesprisoner, captive, inmate, detainee, hostage
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- suspectssuspect, accused, prime suspect, person of interest, alleged
first offenderrepeat offender
Person repeatedly convicted
recidivist · habitual offender · career criminal · habitual criminal · chronic offender
first, offender, offend, offends, offended, offending, offense, offenses, offensive