Question

In this writing assignment, you will express your reasoned opinion as to whether the "double jeopardy" clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would actually apply in the 1999 Paramount Pictures movie, Double Jeopardy.

Deliverables:

A 150-word (2-3 paragraph) paper

Step 1: View the movie or read a full plot summary online.

Either watch the 1999 Paramount Pictures movie thriller Double Jeopardy, or read a full plot summary of the movie online.

Step 2: Write a short summary of your findings.

In a short paper, give your assessment as to whether the "double jeopardy" clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would protect the character Libby (played by actress Ashley Judd) if she were to kill her husband at the end of the film.

Answer 1

“Double jeopardy” according to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides “that no person shall be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb”. In other words it means that no person shall be retried after an acquittal or after being convicted or after certain mistrials for the same offence again nor can a person be punished twice for the same offence.

In the movie, double jeopardy, Libby is tried and convicted for the murder of her husband Nick. Later on Libby discovered that Nick was alive and was staying with Angie, caretaker of Matty (Nick and Libby’s son) in San Francisco. While in jail, a jailmate advised Libby to trace and kill Nick while she is out on parole, as then she could not be tried for the murder again on the principles of double jeopardy.