Doctrine of Double Jeopardy
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Double jeopardy is a legal principle that protects individuals from being prosecuted multiple times for the same offence. It is based on the idea that once a person has been acquitted or convicted of a particular crime, they cannot be tried again for that same offence.
Protection against multiple prosecutions: Double jeopardy prevents the government from repeatedly bringing charges against an individual for the same crime. Once a person has been acquitted (found not guilty) or convicted (found guilty), the government is generally barred from attempting another trial for the same offence.
Finality and legal certainty: Double jeopardy ensures that there is finality and legal certainty in criminal proceedings. It prevents the prosecution from subjecting a defendant to the stress, expense, and potential abuse of multiple trials for the same conduct.
Scope and exceptions: Double jeopardy applies to the same offence, meaning that the charges, elements, and facts of the case must be substantially the same. However, there are some exceptions to the double jeopardy protection. For example, an individual can be prosecuted at both the federal and state levels because they are considered separate sovereign, known as dual sovereignty. Additionally, if new evidence emerges or if the original trial was tainted by errors or misconduct, a retrial may be permitted.
Acquittal and conviction: Once a defendant has been acquitted of a crime, they cannot be retried for the same offence. The principle of double jeopardy prohibits the government from appealing or overturning an acquittal. Similarly, if a defendant has been convicted and the conviction is upheld on appeal, they cannot be retried for the same offence.
Civil and criminal proceedings: It is important to note that double jeopardy protections generally apply to criminal proceedings, not civil cases. In civil matters, where the focus is on disputes between private parties rather than punishment by the government, the concept of double jeopardy does not typically apply if the later charge is civil rather than criminal in nature because it involves a different standard of proof.
The concept of double jeopardy is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution, which states, "nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." However, it is worth noting that this doctrine was partially abolished in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and in Scotland by the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011 to address the issue of new DNA evidence coming to light in cases such as the Stephen Lawrence murder.
Protection against multiple prosecutions: Double jeopardy prevents the government from repeatedly bringing charges against an individual for the same crime. Once a person has been acquitted (found not guilty) or convicted (found guilty), the government is generally barred from attempting another trial for the same offence.
Finality and legal certainty: Double jeopardy ensures that there is finality and legal certainty in criminal proceedings. It prevents the prosecution from subjecting a defendant to the stress, expense, and potential abuse of multiple trials for the same conduct.
Scope and exceptions: Double jeopardy applies to the same offence, meaning that the charges, elements, and facts of the case must be substantially the same. However, there are some exceptions to the double jeopardy protection. For example, an individual can be prosecuted at both the federal and state levels because they are considered separate sovereign, known as dual sovereignty. Additionally, if new evidence emerges or if the original trial was tainted by errors or misconduct, a retrial may be permitted.
Acquittal and conviction: Once a defendant has been acquitted of a crime, they cannot be retried for the same offence. The principle of double jeopardy prohibits the government from appealing or overturning an acquittal. Similarly, if a defendant has been convicted and the conviction is upheld on appeal, they cannot be retried for the same offence.
Civil and criminal proceedings: It is important to note that double jeopardy protections generally apply to criminal proceedings, not civil cases. In civil matters, where the focus is on disputes between private parties rather than punishment by the government, the concept of double jeopardy does not typically apply if the later charge is civil rather than criminal in nature because it involves a different standard of proof.
The concept of double jeopardy is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution, which states, "nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." However, it is worth noting that this doctrine was partially abolished in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and in Scotland by the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011 to address the issue of new DNA evidence coming to light in cases such as the Stephen Lawrence murder.
