Does double jeopardy apply between states?

Asked by: Kennith Braun  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (8 votes)

The double jeopardy clause does not generally protect a person from being prosecuted by both a state government and the United States federal government for the same act, nor does it protect a person from being prosecuted by multiple states for the same act.

Does double jeopardy apply to different states?

This is because of the idea that the state and the federal government are “dual sovereigns.” This means that under federal law, both the United States and state government may both prosecute you for a crime without violating the constitutional protection against double jeopardy if your act violated both state laws and ...

What happens if you have charges in two different states?

Yes, if you commit a crime in more than one state, you can be charged, tried, and convicted in each of those states. This is because each state has its jurisdiction and can prosecute individuals for crimes committed within its boundaries.

What are the two exceptions to double jeopardy?

Double jeopardy does not prevent multiple charges for the same crime from different jurisdictions. If a crime violated the laws of multiple states, then each state may press charges. Likewise, if a crime violated both state and federal law, then it would be allowable to have two criminal suits for the same crime.

What is an example of when double jeopardy does not apply?

Exceptions to the Double Jeopardy rule

These events include: A hung jury and other instances of a mistrial. The judge dismisses the case before a verdict is reached. A conviction being reversed on appeal (Note: while the defense may appeal a conviction, the prosecution may not do the same for an acquittal)

Five facts on Double Jeopardy #doublejeopardy #5thamendment

16 related questions found

At what point does double jeopardy apply?

When you are currently on trial for the same crime, California recognizes that jeopardy "attaches" when the trial has officially begun—specifically, once the jury is selected and a witness has been called. Once the trial starts, you can't be charged separately for the crime.

Can double jeopardy be overturned with new evidence?

22 The rule against double jeopardy is only lifted once in respect of each qualifying offense: even if there is a subsequent discovery of new evidence, the prosecution may not apply for an order quashing the acquittal and seeking a retrial section 75(3).

Are there any loopholes in the double jeopardy law?

In some situations, the prosecution may proceed with a retrial after the case ends without violating the double jeopardy rule. This is common when there is a hung jury or when a judge declares a mistrial.

Can I sue after being found not guilty?

If you are accused of a crime and acquitted or otherwise found not guilty of the offense, you can still face a civil lawsuit for the same incident. The Double Jeopardy clause only protects you from subsequent criminal prosecution in the legal system.

What is the difference between res judicata and double jeopardy?

"Double jeopardy precludes reprosecution for an offense of which a defendant has been acquitted or to which jeopardy has otherwise attached. Res judicata gives conclusive effect to a final judgment on the merits in subsequent litigation of the same controversy.

Will a felony in one state show up in another?

All felony convictions will show up on a criminal background check. However, if the background check is run in a state that is different from the one in which the felony was committed, it may not show up.

What is defined as probable cause?

Courts usually find probable cause when there is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed (for an arrest) or when evidence of the crime is present in the place to be searched (for a search ).

Can you prosecute someone in another state?

The answer to your post title is yes. Multiple states can have concurrent jurisdiction for state crimes depending on the facts and requisite elements of both states' criminal statutes (an easy hypothetical to understand is if a resident in one state defrauds a resident of another state, both states may prosecute).

What triggers double jeopardy?

United States v. Rosendahl, 53 MJ 344 (the constitutional protection against double jeopardy applies to three circumstances: (1) trial for the same offense after acquittal; (2) trial for the same offense after conviction; and (3) multiple punishments for the same offense).

What happens if you commit crimes in multiple states?

If you are accused of committing the same crime in more than one state, you can be charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced in each of those states. The well-known “double jeopardy” rule only applies to being tried twice for the same crime in the same jurisdiction.

In which of the following circumstances does the protection against double jeopardy not apply?

Single trial with multiple convictions or acquittals. The double jeopardy defense is designed to protect against the harassment of multiple trials. However, double jeopardy is inapplicable to acquittals, convictions, or dismissals of separate counts in a single trial.

Can I sue the police after charges are dropped?

The Case Was Resolved in the Victim's Favor

The victim must provide evidence that the criminal case ended in their favor. For instance, can you sue after charges are dropped? Yes. Dropped charges could make a malicious prosecution claim possible.

Can a person be found guilty without evidence?

Yes—actually, most criminal convictions are based solely on circumstantial evidence. Further, California criminal law allows the prosecution to convict a defendant on circumstantial evidence alone.

Can a person sue if they are falsely accused of something?

The two primary ways to seek compensation from a false accuser are to sue under California's defamation laws and to sue under California's laws regarding malicious prosecution.

What are the four exceptions to double jeopardy?

retrial after an acquittal; retrial after a conviction; retrial after certain mistrials; and. multiple punishment.

Where does double jeopardy not apply?

There are exceptions to the rule of double jeopardy, particularly in cases of mistrials. A mistrial occurs when the trial is terminated without a final verdict, often due to a hung jury, procedural errors, or prosecutorial misconduct.

Can you be tried again if new evidence is found?

A retrial is only possible by ground of a 'novum': the situation in which new evidence has come to light and in which it seems that, had the judge known of this evidence, the defendant would have been prosecuted.

What is the Blockburger test?

Also called the same-elements test. Examination of the statutory elements to determine whether multiple criminal charges arising from the same course of conduct are sufficiently similar that a conviction for more than one offense violates the US Constitution's Double Jeopardy Clause (Blockburger v.

Can you be tried again after a hung jury?

A hung jury, also called a deadlocked jury, is a judicial jury that cannot agree upon a verdict after extended deliberation and is unable to reach the required unanimity or supermajority. A hung jury may result in the case being tried again. This situation can occur only in common law legal systems.

What is the burden of proof for double jeopardy?

Thus, the burden of proof - whether characterized as a burden of produc- ing evidence or as a burden of persuasion - should fall on the government once the defendant has made a minimal showing that a trial for a second charged offense would subject him to double jeopardy.