What does "double jeopardy" protect against?

Double jeopardy is a legal principle embedded in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards individuals from being tried more than once for the same offense after either a conviction or an acquittal. The primary purpose of this protection is to prevent the government from subjecting individuals to the risks of double punishment or the stress and stigma of repeated prosecution for the same alleged criminal act.

In practical terms, if someone is acquitted of a crime, they cannot face a new trial for that same crime, thereby ensuring a sense of finality in legal proceedings and protecting citizens from the potential overreach of the judicial system. The prohibition against double jeopardy applies equally to both criminal trials and can also play a role in civil cases that derive from the same circumstances as a previous criminal case.

The other choices reflect important legal rights but do not pertain directly to the concept of double jeopardy. Not being convicted without a trial, not being imprisoned without charges, and not being sentenced improperly deal with different aspects of legal rights and protections in the judicial system.