What does double jeopardy protect against?

Double jeopardy is a legal principle that protects an individual from being tried again for the same offense after they have been acquitted or convicted. This foundational element of law ensures that once a person has faced trial and received a verdict, they cannot be retried for that same crime in the same jurisdiction. This protection is rooted in the idea of finality and fairness in the legal process, preventing the government from continually attempting to convict someone for the same alleged crime, which could lead to harassment and abuse of the legal system.

The concept of double jeopardy specifically addresses cases where a person has been acquitted, meaning they were found not guilty. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the specific circumstance where an individual, having faced trial and been acquitted for a crime, cannot be retried for that same crime in that same judicial body.