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The case of Gamble v United States represents a significant Supreme Court decision addressing the dual sovereignty doctrine under the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This landmark ruling reaffirmed that separate sovereigns - meaning federal and state governments - may prosecute an individual for the same conduct without violating constitutional protections against double jeopardy.
In this case, Terance Gamble was convicted under Alabama state law for firearm possession by a felon. Subsequently, federal prosecutors charged him with the same offense based on the identical conduct. The Supreme Court upheld this practice, maintaining that the Double Jeopardy Clause only prohibits multiple prosecutions by the same sovereign entity, not different sovereign governments.
The decision has profound implications for criminal justice, particularly in cases involving federal and state law enforcement cooperation. Critics argue this creates potential for government overreach and disproportionate punishment, while supporters maintain it preserves the independence of state and federal criminal justice systems. |
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Post time 2025-10-22 08:19:05