What does "double jeopardy" prohibit?

The principle of "double jeopardy" prohibits an individual from being tried twice for the same crime after they have either been acquitted or convicted. This legal protection is embedded in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and serves to ensure that once a person has faced trial and received a verdict, they cannot be subjected to further prosecution for that offense. This maxim is fundamental in preserving the integrity of legal proceedings, preventing the state from continually pursuing a case until they achieve a desired outcome against the defendant, which could lead to harassment and oppression.

In contrast, being tried for two different crimes at the same time is not addressed by double jeopardy, as it concerns distinct offenses. Similarly, the ability to appeal a conviction multiple times or being sentenced after serving probation does not relate to the principle of double jeopardy, since these scenarios involve legal processes that may occur following a conviction rather than re-trying the same crime.