What legal principle protects individuals from being tried for the same crime twice?

Double jeopardy is the legal principle that prevents an individual from being tried again for the same crime after a valid acquittal or conviction. This principle is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that no person shall "be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." The protection against double jeopardy upholds an important aspect of due process by ensuring that individuals are not subjected to the financial, emotional, and social burdens of repeated trials for the same alleged crime.

This legal safeguard not only reinforces the notion of finality in legal judgments but also upholds the integrity of the judicial system by preventing the government from pursuing endless prosecutions against an individual. The principle is fundamental to maintaining public confidence in the fairness and efficiency of the judicial process, and it protects individuals from potential abuse of power by the state.

Other choices, while related to the legal landscape, do not specifically address the protection against being tried for the same crime twice. Due process focuses on the fair treatment through the normal judicial system and is broader in context. Judicial review pertains to the power of courts to assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions. The rule of law denotes the principle that all people and