first offender

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first offender

a person convicted of a criminal offence for the first time. Many systems impose a lesser punishment and try to avoid imprisonment lest the offender become worse in such an ‘academy of crime’; others prefer a ‘short sharp shock’ to discourage re-offending before the offender has become a hardened offender.

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References in periodicals archive ?

First offenders are very likely to have a problem with alcohol.

Shattering misconceptions about first-time drunk driving offenders

Depicting the First Offender Profile Against AF JROTC Cadets Norm (N=308 Cadets, & N=60 First Offenders)

IDENTIFYING THE FIRST OFFENDERS BY USE OF JROTC SELF-FULFILLMENT INVENTORY SCORES

First offender or not, this man's behaviour merits a custodial sentence.

CABBIE SEX ATTACKER GOES FREE; Mercy for pervert who abducted passenger

The first offender was aged 18-21, about 5ft8in with a slim build and brown eyes.

YOUTHS ON BIKES ROB WOMAN, 25

The first offender is described as white, aged 17-18-years-old, 5ft 4ins tall, of skinny build, and was wearing black clothing with a scarf around his face.

Woman assaulted and robbed

The first offender was described as light skinned black male, aged about 17, 6ft 1ins tall, medium build and wearing a blue hooded top which he wore inside out.

Duo rob bookies

The first offender is described as of "mixed race", aged between 20 and 30, about 5ft lOin, skinny, and with black hair.

Man, 42, attacked strong burglary

The Prime Minister's spokesman, in a "very clear" message, accepted community sentences for a minor first offender could work.

No.10 SNUB FOR IRVINE

The first offender, who was armed with a knife, was in his 30s, around 6ft, of mixed race, stocky build with dark eyes.

COUPLE IN JEWELLERY RAID TERROR

SheriffKathrineMackiedeferred sentence on first offender Henderson, of Edinburgh, who has since resigned from his job.

Postie left mail stash

The first offender is described as being white, aged between 17 and 25 years old, 6ft to 6ft 3, and of slim build.