What procedural right ensures that a person is not tried twice for the same offense in Georgia?

The principle that ensures an individual is not tried twice for the same offense in Georgia is known as protection from double jeopardy. This constitutional right, enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and also reflected in Georgia's state law, prevents an accused person from facing multiple trials for the same crime after either a conviction or an acquittal. This serves to uphold the integrity of final judgments and to protect individuals from the anxiety, expense, and harassment that could arise from successive prosecutions.

This protection is fundamental in the criminal justice system as it establishes a sense of closure once a case has been resolved, ensuring that the legal process maintains fairness and efficiency. By preventing re-prosecution for the same offense, it reinforces the idea that once a determination of guilt or innocence has been made, it should not be reopened without just cause.