Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§2000h–1 Double jeopardy; specific crimes and criminal contempts
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 21— - CIVIL RIGHTS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 2000h–1
Summary
The U.S. may not try someone twice for the same act. If a person is found guilty or not guilty in a trial, they cannot face a criminal-contempt case for that same act under this law, and the reverse is also true.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §2000h–1
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
No person should be put twice in jeopardy under the laws of the United States for the same act or omission. For this reason, an acquittal or conviction in a prosecution for a specific crime under the laws of the United States shall bar a proceeding for criminal contempt, which is based upon the same act or omission and which arises under the provisions of this Act; and an acquittal or conviction in a proceeding for criminal contempt, which arises under the provisions of this Act, shall bar a prosecution for a specific crime under the laws of the United States based upon the same act or omission.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 88–352, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241, known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is classified principally to subchapters II to IX of this chapter (§ 2000a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 2000a of this title and Tables.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 2000h–1
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73