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

Pino can’t be convicted of both charges because of the constitutional protection against double jeopardy or being punished more than once for the same crime. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

That opinion, Gamble v. United States, upheld the dual-sovereignty doctrine, which says double jeopardy does not apply because two crimes are not the same if they are prosecuted by separate jurisdictions. —Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026

Meaning, if Mangione was found guilty in one trial, his team could argue double jeopardy to try and get the second indictment dismissed ahead of a second trial. —Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026

Luigi Mangione complained about double jeopardy in a courtroom outburst on Friday about the prospect of back-to-back trials in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. —Rachel Wolf , Maria Paronich , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 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.