What constitutional protection against being tried twice for the same crime?

• A. Double Jeopardy
• B. Equal Protection
• C. Due Process
• D. Habeas Corpus

Answer: (A)

Double Jeopardy is the constitutional protection against being tried twice for the same offense. It comes from the Fifth Amendment and applies to both federal and state prosecutions. It bars repeating a criminal case after a legitimate acquittal or conviction by the same sovereign, and it also prevents multiple punishments for the same offense. Whether two charges count as the same offense is determined by whether each offense requires proof of different elements. If not, they’re treated as the same offense and barred from successive prosecutions. The other options protect different rights (equal protection, due process, habeas corpus) and do not specifically address being tried twice for the same crime.