double jeopardy

/ˌdʌbəl ˌdʒɛpərdi/

Double jeopardy is trying someone twice for the same crime, something that's unconstitutional in the U.S.

Thanks to the Constitution's Fifth Amendment, citizens who have already been convicted or acquitted of a crime can't be retried. The amendment states that no one can be twice "put in jeopardy of life or limb" for the same offense. Double jeopardy originated with the ancient Roman legal principle non bis in idem, or "not twice against the same." Many other countries offer this same protection.

Definitions of double jeopardy

1. noun

   the prosecution of a defendant for a criminal offense for which he has already been tried; prohibited in the fifth amendment to the United States Constitution
   type of:

   criminal prosecution, prosecution

   the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior