The 5th amendment protects individuals from being tried for the same crime twice, also known as what?

The term that describes the protection against being tried for the same crime twice is known as double jeopardy. This principle is embedded in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that no individual can be prosecuted more than once for the same offense, providing a safeguard against the state’s power and protecting individuals from the psychological and financial burden of multiple trials for the same act. This protection is a critical aspect of the legal system, promoting fairness and finality in legal proceedings.

The other terms mentioned, while related to legal rights, refer to different protections. Due process pertains to fair treatment through the normal judicial system, right to counsel ensures individuals have the opportunity to receive legal representation, and indictment refers to the formal accusation initiating a criminal case. Each of these plays a vital role in protecting individual rights, but they do not specifically address the issue of being tried multiple times for the same crime. Thus, double jeopardy is the accurate term for this constitutional protection.