What does 'double jeopardy' prevent?

Double jeopardy is a legal principle that safeguards an individual from being prosecuted multiple times for the same offense after a verdict has been reached. This protection is a fundamental aspect of criminal law in many jurisdictions, including common law systems. Once a person has been acquitted or convicted of a crime, double jeopardy prevents the state from retrying them for that same crime, no matter the circumstances.

This is rooted in the belief that individuals should not face the anxiety, expense, and stigma of being tried again for an offense for which they have already been found guilty or not guilty. The principle reflects the legal maxim "nemo debet bis vexari pro una et eadem causa," meaning "no one should be put in jeopardy of conviction more than once for the same offense."

The other options explore different aspects of legal proceedings but do not address the specific protection offered by double jeopardy. For instance, being tried for a different crime, presenting new evidence, or witnesses testifying multiple times involve different legal considerations and do not fall under the double jeopardy rule.