What legal principle prohibits someone from being tried again for the same crime after acquittal?

The legal principle that prohibits someone from being tried again for the same crime after acquittal is known as double jeopardy. This principle is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects individuals from being subjected to multiple prosecutions for the same offense.

The concept of double jeopardy is crucial in the legal system as it helps to ensure that legal proceedings are fair and that individuals can have confidence in the finality of verdicts. Once an individual has been acquitted—meaning the court has found them not guilty—they cannot be retried for that same charge, thereby safeguarding against the government’s ability to repeatedly pursue someone for the same criminal action.

In contrast, due process refers to the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, while a fair trial encompasses the broader principles of equitable legal proceedings. Judicial review involves the ability of courts to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches to ensure they comply with the Constitution. These concepts, while important to the legal framework, do not specifically relate to the issue of being retried for the same crime after an acquittal.