Legal Definitions - first offender

Definition: A person who authorities believe has committed a crime but who has never before been convicted of a crime. First offenders are often treated leniently at sentencing or in plea negotiations.

Example: John was caught stealing from a store for the first time. Since he had no prior criminal record, he was considered a first offender and was given a lighter sentence than someone who had committed the same crime multiple times.

This example illustrates the definition of a first offender as someone who has committed a crime for the first time and is therefore treated more leniently than someone with a history of criminal behavior.