What is the principle of double jeopardy?

The principle of double jeopardy is a fundamental protection in criminal law that prevents an individual from being prosecuted more than once for the same crime. This legal doctrine is designed to uphold fairness in the judicial system, ensuring that once a person has been acquitted or convicted of an offense, they cannot be put in jeopardy of facing trial for that same offense again.

This principle protects individuals from the emotional and financial strain of repeated trials for the same crime, as well as from potential abuses in the legal system that could arise from relentless prosecution. The rule is enshrined in various legal systems around the world and often serves to uphold the integrity of final judgments in criminal cases.

In contrast, being tried for a different crime after acquittal, being charged with multiple crimes simultaneously, and facing charges in both civil and criminal courts do not fall under the definition of double jeopardy. Each of these scenarios reflects different aspects of legal proceedings that do not involve re-prosecuting the same crime for which a verdict has already been rendered.