Arizona State University (ASU) CRJ203 Courts and Sentencing Exam 1 Practice

The principle prohibiting being tried twice for the same offense, commonly referred to as double jeopardy, is a fundamental protection under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This legal doctrine prevents an individual from facing multiple prosecutions or convictions for the same crime, thereby safeguarding individuals from the stress and harassment of repeated trials for the same alleged act. This principle not only protects the rights of defendants but also promotes the finality of judgments and the efficient use of judicial resources. By ensuring that once a person has been acquitted or convicted, they cannot be put on trial again for the same charge, double jeopardy reinforces the integrity of the legal system.