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

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

The official transcript obtained by Newsweek shows that Mangione's defense team is strongly objecting to the lack of information about the new charges and claims that the federal indictment violates double jeopardy rules. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Karen Read claims murder charge in police officer boyfriend's death is double jeopardy. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024

Meanwhile, Read's defense team is appealing to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and will argue in November 2024 for the dismissal of the charges based on double jeopardy, according to Vanity Fair. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 30 Oct. 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.