What does "double jeopardy" mean in criminal law?

"Double jeopardy" refers to the legal principle that protects an individual from being tried twice for the same offense in the same jurisdiction. This means that once a defendant has been acquitted or convicted of a crime, they cannot be prosecuted again for that same crime, even if new evidence emerges. This concept is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and serves to ensure fairness and finality in criminal proceedings.

The prohibition of being tried twice for the same offense aims to prevent the state from subjecting individuals to the financial and emotional burdens of repeated trials for the same allegation, which could lead to potential abuse of governmental power. Consequently, this protection is fundamental to criminal law and safeguards defendants against the risk of harassment and undue legal pressure.

The other choices indicate different legal concepts that do not accurately capture the essence of double jeopardy. Being charged with multiple offenses at once pertains to procedural rules regarding how charges might be presented, while being convicted and acquitted at different times does not apply to double jeopardy since each occurrence refers to different offenses. The notion of being tried by a jury and a judge simultaneously describes a different aspect of trial procedure and does not relate to the idea of being tried multiple times for the same crime.