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double jeopardy
double jeopardy definition - legal
n
The
fact or risk of being prosecuted more than once for the same (or substantially
the same) offense. Double jeopardy is prohibited by the United States
Constitution; however, separate proceedings under state and federal law for
offenses arising out of the same incident do not constitute double jeopardy
(for example, a state trial for murder and a federal trial for deprivation of
civil liberties involving the same killing).
Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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