dual sovereignty doctrine

The dual sovereignty doctrine is a legal principle stating that different levels of government—such as federal and state—can separately charge someone with a crime for the same act without violating the Constitution's protection against double jeopardy. Essentially, because each government is considered a separate sovereign entity with its own authority, an individual can be prosecuted and punished by both, provided both entities have jurisdiction over the offense. This doctrine ensures that each level of government can enforce its own laws independently, even if the same conduct breaches multiple legal frameworks.