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.

Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described Edwards as a remorseful first offender with potential.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

That means anyone convicted must serve their entire sentence, can’t be sentenced to probation as a first offender and can’t be paroled unless they have served at least 30 years in prison.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2023

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

"Top Chef" isn't the first offender when it comes to poor vetting and possible casting mistakes like this.

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2021

Is it any wonder that this first offender comes out of prison a confirmed criminal, and that “the last state of that man is worse than the first”?

From The Arena Volume 18, No. 93, August, 1897 by Various