What Is Jeopardy?

In legal terms, jeopardy refers to the risk or danger of conviction and punishment that a defendant faces in a criminal trial. The principle of "jeopardy" is a crucial component of criminal law, ensuring that individuals are not subject to multiple prosecutions for the same offense.

Jeopardy Explained

Jeopardy arises when a person is formally charged with a crime and undergoes a trial. Key aspects of jeopardy include:

- Attachment of Jeopardy: Jeopardy attaches when a defendant is put on trial before a competent court. In a jury trial, this occurs when the jury is empaneled and sworn in. In a bench trial, it occurs when the first witness is sworn in.

- Double Jeopardy: The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution includes the Double Jeopardy Clause, which protects individuals from being tried twice for the same offense. This means that once jeopardy attaches, and the trial concludes, the defendant cannot be prosecuted again for the same crime on the same set of facts.

- Exceptions: Certain exceptions exist where double jeopardy does not apply, such as if the defendant appeals a conviction and wins a retrial, or if a mistrial is declared due to a hung jury or other procedural issues.

The Term Jeopardy in Different Legal Contexts

Criminal Law: In criminal law, jeopardy is a fundamental concept protecting individuals from repeated prosecutions. It ensures finality in the legal process and prevents the government from using its resources to wear down and repeatedly prosecute individuals.

Civil vs. Criminal Jeopardy: Double jeopardy protections apply only to criminal cases. Civil cases do not trigger double jeopardy, meaning an individual can face both criminal prosecution and civil litigation for the same conduct (e.g., criminal charges for assault and a civil lawsuit for damages).

Separate Sovereignties Doctrine: Under U.S. law, the doctrine of separate sovereignties allows different jurisdictions (e.g., state and federal governments) to prosecute the same individual for the same conduct if it violates both state and federal laws. This does not constitute double jeopardy.

Common Misconceptions About the Meaning of Jeopardy

A common misconception is that jeopardy applies as soon as someone is charged with a crime. In reality, jeopardy only attaches when the trial proceedings officially begin (jury empaneled in a jury trial or first witness sworn in a bench trial).

Another misconception is that double jeopardy protection means a defendant can never be retried. However, retrials can occur if a mistrial is declared or if the defendant successfully appeals a conviction and the case is remanded for a new trial.

Lastly, some believe that double jeopardy protections apply to all legal proceedings. In fact, these protections are specific to criminal prosecutions. Civil actions, administrative proceedings, and disciplinary hearings do not invoke double jeopardy protections, allowing individuals to face multiple consequences for the same conduct in different legal contexts.

Share

Recommendations

Drew Davis Van De Grift

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

1895 Bradford Rd, Michigan, 48009-7253
  • Thomas M. Cooley
  • Contracts and Agreements, Freedom of Information Act, Government Contracts, Employment and Labor, State, Local And Municipal Law, Government and Tax
  • Birmingham, Michigan Contracts and Agreements Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Birmingham - Michigan

1895 Bradford Rd, Michigan, 48009-7253

Paul J. Carrier

Contracts and Agreements Lawyer Serving at Brighton - Michigan

224 N 1st St, Michigan, 48116-1205
  • Contracts and Agreements and International Law
  • Brighton, Michigan Contracts and Agreements Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Brighton - Michigan

224 N 1st St, Michigan, 48116-1205

Mustapha Nabil Hawily

Business Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan

23756 Michigan Ave Ste 300, Michigan, 48124-1853
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  • Business, Criminal Defense, Family, Immigration and Personal Injury
  • Dearborn, Michigan Business Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Dearborn - Michigan

23756 Michigan Ave Ste 300, Michigan, 48124-1853

Christopher J. Johnson

Civil Rights Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

1675 Green Rd, Michigan, 48105-2530
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Civil Rights, Freedom of Information Act, Government Contracts, Insurance, State, Local And Municipal Law, Government and Police Misconduct
  • Ann Arbor, Michigan Civil Rights Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

1675 Green Rd, Michigan, 48105-2530

Jessamyne Marie Kalabat

Commercial Lawyer Serving at Farmington Hills - Michigan

31440 Northwestern Hwy Ste 145, Michigan, 48334-5420
  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
  • Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Environmental and Natural Resources, Litigation, Probate and Real Estate
  • Farmington Hills, Michigan Commercial Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Farmington Hills - Michigan

31440 Northwestern Hwy Ste 145, Michigan, 48334-5420

Sean Christopher Etheridge

Business Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

789 N Dixboro Rd, Michigan, 48105-9723
  • Business, Commercial, Contracts and Agreements, Health Care, Licensing and Securities Offerings
  • Ann Arbor, Michigan Business Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Ann Arbor - Michigan

789 N Dixboro Rd, Michigan, 48105-9723

Lynda D. McGhee

Juvenile Lawyer Serving at Hamtramck - Michigan

2933 Caniff St Unit 12250, Michigan, 48212-4712
  • Juvenile and Probate
  • Hamtramck, Michigan Juvenile Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Hamtramck - Michigan

2933 Caniff St Unit 12250, Michigan, 48212-4712

Damir Junicic

Workers Compensation Law Lawyer Serving at Los Angeles - California

Law Office of Damir Junicic, 10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1101, California, 90024-4112
  • Workers Compensation Law
  • Los Angeles, California Workers Compensation Law Lawyer
Free Consultation +13107535155

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Los Angeles - California

Law Office of Damir Junicic, 10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1101, California, 90024-4112
Free Consultation +13107535155

Nicholas Joseph Schroeck

Environmental and Natural Resources Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

651 E Jefferson Ave, Michigan, 48226-4349
  • Wayne State University School of Law
  • Environmental and Natural Resources
  • Detroit, Michigan Environmental and Natural Resources Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Detroit - Michigan

651 E Jefferson Ave, Michigan, 48226-4349

David S. Nows

Business Lawyer Serving at Mount Pleasant - Michigan

164 Grawn Hall, Michigan, 48859-0001
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • Business, Contracts and Agreements, Immigration, Mergers and Acquisitions, Divestitures, Public Finance and Tax Exempt Finance, Securities Offerings, Sports and Tax
  • Mount Pleasant, Michigan Business Lawyer

0 reviews

Lawyer Serving at Mount Pleasant - Michigan

164 Grawn Hall, Michigan, 48859-0001