double jeopardy

noun

1

: the putting of a person on trial for an offense for which he or she has previously been put on trial under a valid charge : two adjudications for one offense

2

: considerable danger or trouble from two sources

Examples of double jeopardy in a Sentence

constitutional protections against double jeopardy

Recent Examples on the Web

The Massachusetts woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend in a snowy collision has lost her Massachusetts Supreme Court appeal seeking to have her case tossed on the grounds of double jeopardy after a chaotic murder trial ended in a hung jury. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025

Krasner could face significant legal hurdles, including constitutional protections against double jeopardy. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Jan. 2025

Jeff Rosenzweig and Katherine Street, Waterman's attorneys, are appealing Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green's decision denying a request to dismiss the murder charges on the grounds of double jeopardy. —Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 31 Dec. 2024

In 2022, detectives presented the case to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, but charges were not filed due to double jeopardy laws, according to police. —Yasmeen Saadi, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

double jeopardy

noun

: the prosecution of a person for an offense for which he or she has already been prosecuted see also jeopardy compare merger sense 3

Note: The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution states that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” The double jeopardy clause bars second prosecutions after either acquittal or conviction, and prohibits multiple punishments for the same offense.