Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Abolish 'Double Jeopardy' in law
Closed
1,247 signatures
What the petition asks
Abolish Double Jeopardy protections in order to give victims of crime a better chance of seeing justice achieved.
Many people believe that this has already been abolished, but it has only been amended, in very exceptional circumstances when the DPP agrees that there is new and compelling evidence.
'Double Jeopardy' is an 800 year old principle in common law that protects suspects of crimes from being retried, or even requestioned, for the same crime.
We believe this fails to consider the continuous suffering endured by victims of unsolved crimes. Police are still being prevented from reinterviewing acquitted suspects even in murder investigations.
'Double Jeopardy' is an 800 year old principle in common law that protects suspects of crimes from being retried, or even requestioned, for the same crime.
We believe this fails to consider the continuous suffering endured by victims of unsolved crimes. Police are still being prevented from reinterviewing acquitted suspects even in murder investigations.
Timeline
| 3 Feb 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 Aug 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,247
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
3 Feb 2022
Closed
3 Aug 2022
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.