Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Double jeopardy is a legal principle that prohibits an individual from being tried for the same crime twice following an acquittal or conviction. It ensures judicial fairness by protecting against multiple punishments for a single offense.
Related terms
Acquittal: An acquittal is a formal declaration in court that the defendant is not guilty of the charge.
Conviction: A conviction is a formal judgment that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, based on either a verdict of guilt or upon acceptance of a plea bargain.
Due process is a constitutional guarantee that all legal proceedings will be fair and that one will be given notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard before the government acts to take away one's life, liberty, or property