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 Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled unanimously that the second trial constituted double jeopardy and that the first jury trial settled the matter. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025

Ignatow could not, however, be tried for murder again because the Fifth Amendment prevents double jeopardy. —Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Oct. 2025

The Fifth Amendment protects against double jeopardy or being tried twice for the same crime, while the Sixth Amendment guarantees fair and speedy trials. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

There’s no double jeopardy as far as the qualifying offer is concerned; a player can’t be tagged with it twice. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025

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.