What Is Double Jeopardy?

Full Video Transcript

Simply put, double jeopardy is the act of prosecuting a person for an offense for which he or she has already been tried and/or prosecuted. Double jeopardy is prohibited by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Specifically, there cannot be a second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal, a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction, and there cannot be multiple punishments for the same offense. Double jeopardy does not apply in situations where there is an appeal on a ruling, or if the first case resulted in a hung or a corrupted jury. The rules and laws surrounding double jeopardy are incredibly complex and can confuse the most sophisticated attorneys and judges. If you’ve been accused of a crime, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area.

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