Crossword Genius

Court verdict on Eve? (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

first offender

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'eve?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'court verdict on' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'on' could be 'to' and 'to' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for first offender that I've seen before include "one that hasn't gone wrong before" , "One new to crime" , "Novice in crime?" , "One acquiring conviction" , "One committing crime on initial occasion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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