Which term refers to the legal principle that protects individuals from being tried twice for the same crime?

The term that refers to the legal principle protecting individuals from being tried twice for the same crime is double jeopardy. This principle is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which ensures that a person cannot be prosecuted again after an acquittal or conviction for the same offense. The essence of double jeopardy is to prevent the state from subjecting an individual to multiple attempts at prosecution for the same conduct, thus protecting their rights and maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.

Other options, while related to legal proceedings, serve different purposes. The statute of limitations sets a time limit on how long after an event legal proceedings can be initiated. Ex post facto laws make certain actions criminal retroactively, which is prohibited to avoid unfairness. Substantial evidence refers to the level of evidence needed to support a conclusion in a legal context, rather than addressing the concept of being tried for the same crime repeatedly.