What does double jeopardy refer to?

Double jeopardy is a legal principle that protects individuals from being tried for the same crime more than once after a verdict of acquittal. This concept ensures that once a person has been tried and either found not guilty or convicted, they cannot be subjected to further prosecution for that same offense. This protection is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that no person shall "be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb."

The idea behind this principle is to uphold the integrity of the judicial system and provide a sense of finality to verdicts. It helps reduce the anxiety and uncertainty that could arise from facing repeated trials for the same charge. In contrast, other options all describe different legal situations that do not adhere to the definition of double jeopardy. For instance, being punished for different crimes simultaneously refers to multiple charges, while being tried in different jurisdictions involves separate legal proceedings for the same action in different areas, neither of which fall under the protection against double jeopardy. Lastly, being found guilty of a crime without a trial directly contradicts due process and the rights afforded to individuals under the law.