double jeopardy

noun

1

: the prosecution of a person for a second time for the same offense : 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

After having served both prison sentences and being deported back to Mexico, Herrera-Salazar filed a lawsuit alleging the second indictment violated the double jeopardy clause, which was rejected by a lower court. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Mangione's attorneys had filed a motion to dismiss the charges in state court under New York's double jeopardy law. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

His legal team immediately filed a motion to toss out much of the state’s case on double jeopardy grounds, prompting the judge to effectively postpone the state trial while the parties litigate the issues. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026

His state trial, which includes a second-degree murder charge, was set to begin in September, but a judge postponed it to give prosecutors time to respond to a double jeopardy motion from his attorneys. — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

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.