Definition
初犯 is a legal term that can refer either to a person who has committed a crime for the first time (first offender) or to the offense itself when it is the first such act. Context determines which sense is meant — when preceded by a measure word like 个 (a first offender) or when modifying another noun (初犯者), it usually means the person; when used as the subject or object of a crime-related verb (量刑, 从轻), it often means the first offense.
noun
first offense (the crime)first offender (the person)
Examples
- 初犯，。Zhè shì tā de chū fàn, suǒyǐ fǎyuàn cóng qīng chǔfá.This is his first offense, so the court gave a lighter sentence.
- 初犯，。Zuòwéi yí ge chū fàn, tā dédào le huǎnxíng de jīhuì.As a first offender, he was given the chance of probation.
- 初犯。Fǎlǜ duì chū fàn hé lěifàn de chǔlǐ fāngshì bùtóng.The law treats first offenders and repeat offenders differently.
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