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 Having been acquitted by the Senate of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Trump said that to try him in federal court would be a double jeopardy violation. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 In other words, Trump hadn’t quite said that he was covered by double jeopardy—just that his situation was double jeopardy-ish. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 In their most recent filing, Smollett’s attorneys argued as such, claiming the conviction was in violation of his fifth amendment protections from double jeopardy, wherein a person is not legally allowed to be punished twice for the same crime. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 7 Feb. 2024 In a trio of motions filed Monday, former President Donald Trump asked a Georgia judge to throw out felony racketeering charges against him, saying the criminal election subversion case violated presidential immunity, double jeopardy and due process protections. Graham Kates, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2024 Trump's claim to double jeopardy again mirrors his arguments in his appeal of the D.C. case, reflecting his parallel legal strategies in the twin election interference trials. Graham Kates, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2024 Advertisement If Trump was impeached for his actions, isn’t this double jeopardy? David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024 In a separate Georgia motion, Trump also argued that the charges against him in the state violate his constitutional right against double jeopardy, citing his impeachment after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Graham Kates, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2024 Trump’s lawyers have also cited a constitutional provision against double jeopardy in arguing for immunity, saying that the case concerns similar conduct for which he has already been impeached by the House of Representatives but acquitted by the Senate. Eric Tucker, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double jeopardy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double jeopardy was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near double jeopardy

Cite this Entry

“Double jeopardy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20jeopardy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on double jeopardy

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