§ 14 Former jeopardy.

If someone has already been tried for a crime and was either found guilty or found not guilty, they can't be put on trial again for that same crime. This is often called "double jeopardy." The idea is to stop the government from repeatedly trying to prosecute someone until they get the result they want.

There is one exception to this rule. If a person gets a new trial through the proper legal process, such as through an appeal, they can be tried again. This isn't considered a second prosecution in the way the rule means, because the new trial is part of the same case working its way through the system.

For most people, this rule means that once your case is fully decided, that's the end of it. Prosecutors can't come back later and charge you again for the same offense, unless you're the one who asked for a new trial or the law allows it under specific circumstances.