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The term that refers to the legal principle preventing an individual from being tried twice for the same crime is double jeopardy. This principle is a fundamental protection provided by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that no person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb. It ensures that once a person has been acquitted or convicted of a crime, they cannot be retried for that same offense, providing a safeguard against unnecessary legal battles and preserving the finality of criminal judgments.

In the context of criminal law, this principle is crucial as it upholds the integrity of the judicial system by preventing the state from repeatedly prosecuting an individual, which could otherwise lead to oppression or harassment by the government.