double jeopardy

Once acquitted, done

Double jeopardy is the legal principle that a person cannot be prosecuted twice for the same offense after being acquitted or convicted.

Protected by the Fifth Amendment in the United States, it prevents the government from repeatedly trying someone until it gets the verdict it wants: The charges were dismissed on double jeopardy grounds.

In casual use, double jeopardy sometimes describes any situation where someone faces the same risk or penalty twice.

legal doctrine

Fifth Amendment

Protection against compelled testimony

due process · constitutional protection · same offense · prosecutorial misconduct · criminal procedure · sovereign immunity · dual sovereignty · fundamental right

trial process

acquittal

Formal clearing of charges

defendant · jury · judge · testimony · evidence · indictment · plea · sentencing · mistrial · hung jury

game show

Alex Trebek

contestant · buzzer · trivia · answer · game board · tournament · Ken Jennings · returning champion

Categories
Opposites
prosecutorial opportunity

double jeopardyreprosecution

Prosecuting again after dismissal

retrial · new trial · mistrial · overturned verdict · appeal

finality of judgment

double jeopardyoverturned verdict

Court ruling nullified

hung jury

Family

double, doubled, doubling, doubles, jeopardy, jeopardies

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