Supreme Court Takes Up ‘Interesting’ Double Jeopardy Challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court Oct. 16 agreed to hear a challenge from a Virginia man who argues the double jeopardy clause bars his gun conviction (Currier v. Virginia, U.S., No. 16-1348, review granted 10/16/17).

In taking up Michael Currier’s case, the justices will ponder whether a criminal defendant who agrees to separate his charges into two trials can use the Fifth Amendment to block a trial on the second set of charges after he’s acquitted of the first set.

Currier argues he’s the victim of a false choice, while the state contends he’s trying to use the Constitution ...