first offender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This is a first offender and I wouldn't want him to be a hardened criminal at this young age. He's only 15 now."

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025

The felony carries up to four years in prison but "no one gets jail time for that as a first offender," a New York law enforcement official told Yahoo News.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2023

Threshold was $210 million in 2021, with tax rates of 20% for first offender, 30% for exceeding in consecutive years and 50% for exceeding in three or more consecutive years.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 11, 2022

Paul Hodgkins, a Florida man, was the first offender to be sentenced when he received eight months in prison in July for obstructing an official proceeding.

From Fox News • Sep. 3, 2021

If the procurator deemed it important to make an example, alas for the first offender!

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis