first-offender

A young first-offender stands before a judge in a courtroom.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person convicted of a crime for the first time: "first-offender" refers to an individual who has been found guilty of an offense with no prior criminal record or convictions.

Usage Examples

• (The person had no previous criminal history.)
• (Programs designed for those without prior convictions.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be treated as a first-offender": to receive legal consideration based on having no prior criminal record.

  • She was treated as a first-offender, so she received probation instead of jail time. (She got a lighter penalty due to her clean record.)

• "first-offender status": the legal classification of a person with no previous convictions.

  • His first-offender status allowed him to apply for a diversion program. (His lack of prior crimes gave him this option.)

Variants and Related Words

• First-offense (n): the initial crime committed by a person.

  • A first-offense is often punished less severely than repeat offenses. (The first crime carries lighter penalties.)

• Offender (n): a person who commits an illegal act.

  • The offender was caught by the police. (The person who broke the law.)

Synonyms

• Novice criminal: a beginner in committing crimes.
• First-time convict: a person convicted for the first time.

Related Idioms

• "Clean record": having no criminal history.

  • As a first-offender, he had a clean record before this charge. (No prior convictions existed.)

• "First strike": a first instance of wrongdoing, often used in legal contexts.

  • This is his first strike, so the penalty is light. (His first offense.)