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Double jeopardy

A plea in criminal proceedings, based on the principle that a person should not be tried twice for the same offence arising out of the same circumstances. It is a procedural defence to a criminal charge, that the defendant has already been tried and acquitted or convicted on the same charge. If so, the court must halt the new proceedings.

See also: Autrefois acquit, autrefois convict; Nemo debet bis vexari