Even if new evidence or witnesses are discovered. I am fairly certain Alexis said this to Suzanne as well. That's why this plot point of Jack hounding Nina is stoopid!
Double Jeopardy & Legal Protections for Criminal Defendants
One of the core protections for criminal defendants is the double jeopardy rule provided by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The short version of the rule is that you cannot be prosecuted more than once for the same crime. It prevents prosecution for the same crime after an acquittal or a conviction, and it also prevents imposing multiple punishments for the same crime. However, double jeopardy becomes much more complex in some circumstances.
The obvious application of double jeopardy is when law enforcement finds new evidence of the defendant’s guilt after the jury has already acquitted them. The prosecution cannot charge them again, even if the evidence shows that they probably are guilty. Another situation in which double jeopardy is clear is when a judge tries to sentence a defendant for a crime for which they have already served their sentence.
Limitations on Double Jeopardy
The protection applies only to criminal cases, so a defendant who was acquitted or convicted of a crime may be sued in a civil lawsuit based on the same conduct. They also can face administrative proceedings arising from the same incident, such as the suspension or revocation of their driver’s license. Also, double jeopardy does not apply to prosecutions for lesser included offenses if the defendant already has defeated the charge of the more serious offense. However, if a jury convicts a defendant of multiple charges based on the same conduct, the judge can impose a sentence only for the greater crime. Convictions for assault and aggravated assault, for example, will result in a sentence only for aggravated assault.
Double jeopardy does not attach until the court swears in the jury, or until the first witness is sworn in if a judge hears the case. Filing charges thus does not trigger the rule.