first offender; first-time offender
Legal term for a person who has committed a crime for the first time. Often contrasted with 再犯者 (repeat offender).
See also: 再犯者
初犯者には執行猶予がつくことが多い。
First-time offenders often receive a suspended sentence.
裁判官は初犯者であることを考慮して減刑
The judge reduced the sentence considering that the defendant was a first-time offender.
Compound of 初 (sho, 'first') + 犯 (han, 'crime/offense') + 者 (sha, 'person').