One of the bill of rights is "freedom to not be tried for the same crime twice" --What does that mean?

Question

And also, i assume that being tried twice was happening in england at the time, so how and when did england eventually overcome this?

examples would be appreciated ! thanks!

Answer 1

The Double Jeopardy Clause in the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for substanially the same crime. See, e.g. United States v. Ursery, 518 US 267 (1996).

Check out the case Gideon v. Wainwright

I don't know how the English settled the issue...

Answer 2

Have you ever seen the movie double jeopardy? The woman's husband staged his own death and framed her for it. She served her time, got out and found out he wasn't dead. So she killed him. After all, she had already done her time for his murder, yes? And you cant' be tried for the same crime twice =) Seriously, the double jeopardy law means if you're tried and convicted they can not come back with new evidence and try you again for the same crime. If we didn't have this law a person could be tried for the same crime over and over again if the prosecuters didn't like the outcome of the original trial.Here's a great criminal law article about the double jeopardy law:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Answer 3

As to the second part of your question

Say you were framed for murder, tried and convicted, and did your time in jail. After you get out 15 years later, you find out the person you were convicted of murdering is actually alive.  You could shot him right in the head in at home plate in a full Yankee stadium on live TV and not get convicted for murder.  Because you were already convicted of murdering that person.  So no matter how much people would want you convicted, you are protected under that law.  Hopefully that spelled it out for you a little better.