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

The court will examine whether there is double jeopardy that would prevent a retrial because Jackson-Bolanos was acquitted of first-degree and second-degree murder. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Reddington said his first priority is arguing later this month that a retrial would violate Clancy's constitutional protection against double jeopardy because the mistrial was declared over the defense's objection. — Bryan Llenas , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The defense argued that no other juror disputed the claim and that to continue to try her on these charges would count as double jeopardy. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

The sequence allowed Mangione to make his double jeopardy claim under New York law, rather than under the federal double jeopardy clause, which is narrower and less favorable to the defense, Kuby said. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 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.