Scott v. Illinois

Scott v. Illinois (1979) addressed whether a person accused of a crime who has previously been convicted of a serious offense can be prosecuted for a new, less serious crime with a potentially harsher penalty. The Supreme Court ruled that if the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony, they cannot be charged with a lesser offense that carries a more severe punishment than the original crime, unless the law explicitly allows it. This case emphasizes protections against multiple punishments for the same offense and ensures that sentencing is fair and consistent with legal standards.