What does "double jeopardy" protect against?

Double jeopardy protects individuals from being tried for the same crime multiple times. This legal principle is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that no person shall "be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." This means once a person has been acquitted or convicted of a specific crime, they cannot be subjected to another trial for that same charge.

This protection is crucial in ensuring fairness in the legal system and upholding the finality of criminal judgments. It prevents the government from continually prosecuting an individual for the same act, which could lead to harassment, undue stress, and injustice. The principle aims to maintain trust in the legal system by limiting the power of the state over individuals.

The other options refer to different legal protections or principles. For instance, trial by jury is a separate right that guarantees a person the ability to be judged by a group of peers, while self-incrimination protects individuals from being forced to testify against themselves. Excessive bail addresses the parameters under which bail may be set to ensure it is not unreasonably high. Each of these principles serves different purposes within the legal framework but does not pertain to the protection against being tried for the