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

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

Mangione’s lawyers contend the simultaneous prosecutions amount to double jeopardy. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

Mangione's attorneys have argued that his New York case and his federal case are parallel prosecutions and amount to double jeopardy. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025

And though his lawyers, led by attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, wanted to have the state indictment entirely dismissed because of the simultaneous federal case against him, Carro ruled that any claim of double jeopardy is too premature. —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 16 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.