Being tried again for a crime after being found innocent the first time is known as what?

The correct answer is double jeopardy, which refers to the legal principle that prohibits an individual from being tried again for the same crime after being acquitted or found not guilty in a previous trial. This principle is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights. Double jeopardy is designed to protect individuals from the stress and stigma of being subjected to multiple trials for the same offense, as well as to uphold the integrity of judicial determinations.

This legal protection ensures that once a verdict has been rendered, whether it’s an acquittal or conviction, the case is considered resolved and cannot be pursued again in the same jurisdiction. By preventing re-trials in cases where a defendant has already been cleared of charges, the justice system upholds the foundational principle of fairness and the finality of judicial decisions.