What is the concept of “double jeopardy”?

The concept of "double jeopardy" is rooted in the principle that an individual should not face trial or punishment more than once for the same crime. This protection is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that once a person has been acquitted or convicted of a specific offense, they cannot be subjected to the legal process for that same charge again.

This principle serves to uphold the finality of verdicts and to protect individuals from the stress and financial burden associated with multiple trials for the same matter. It emphasizes the idea that the state should not have the power to repeatedly try a defendant until they secure a conviction.

Thus, the correct option articulates this foundational legal protection, clearly distinguishing double jeopardy from other legal proceedings that may involve retrials or appeals under different circumstances, such as the introduction of new evidence or cases that are dismissed without a verdict.