first offender
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. [Cases: Criminal Law 273.1(2); Sentencing and Punishment 102, 868. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 365–374, 1459–1460, 1463, 1465, 1472, 1477, 1479, 1492–1493, 1495, 1530.]