first offender

Friendly

Word: First Offender

Definition: A "first offender" is a noun that refers to a person who has been convicted of a crime for the very first time. This means that they have never been found guilty of a crime before.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You usually use "first offender" in legal or criminal situations.
• Sentence Structure: You can say, "He is a first offender," or "She was treated as a first offender."

Example Sentence:

• "The judge was lenient with the first offender, considering it was their first crime."

Advanced Usage:

In legal terms, first offenders may receive different treatment compared to repeat offenders. Courts sometimes offer programs or reduced sentences to first offenders to encourage rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "first offender," but you might encounter phrases like "first-time offender," which means the same thing.

Different Meanings:

• The term specifically refers to someone who has committed a crime, so outside of legal contexts, it does not have other meanings.

Synonyms:

• First-time offender
• Novice criminal

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Get a second chance": This idiom refers to having another opportunity to improve one’s behavior or situation, often used in the context of first offenders.
• "Turn over a new leaf": This means to start fresh or change one’s behavior for the better, which is often encouraged for first offenders.

Conclusion:

The term "first offender" is important in legal contexts and emphasizes that it is someone's first time being convicted of a crime.

Academic

Noun

1. someone convicted for the first time