“No person shall… be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;” (5th Amendment, US Constitution) 

Andrew was a frequent flyer. We were rookie booking officers at the County Jail. That didn’t mean we couldn’t mix it up on the outside though. Every week, two of us got to leave the jail in the office truck to pick up candy for the inmate’s store. The five-block drive to the candy store provided ample opportunity for real-world policing that we both craved. Thankfully, my coworker logged the arrest warrants and had a good memory.
Along the way, Jimmy startled me when he shouted out the truck window. “You better stay right there Andrew!” he yelled. I looked to see who he was yelling at and saw a young man walking. Of course, Andrew didn’t stay there. He ran. He knew he had a warrant. Jimmy also knew, so we gave chase. We were only a half-block from the jail.
Andrew ran from First Baptist Church to First Presbyterian. That’s as far as he made it. By the time he ran those two blocks, patrol units arrived and helped catch him. For the two young jail deputies who were supposed to be at the candy store, it was an exciting chase. But, it was short-lived. The fun ended and we returned to candy duty. However, it would not be the last I saw of Andrew.
Years later, as a homicide detective, I investigated a murder in West End. A man was shot and Andrew was the suspect. We obtained a warrant for Andrew’s arrest. We caught him trying to escape out the back window of his house. Andrew wasn’t very good at eluding capture.
At trial, Andrew’s attorney did a good job exploiting gaps in the timeline. He created enough doubt in the jury to result in an acquittal. They declared Andrew “Not Guilty.” Though I disagreed with the decision, I shook Andrew’s hand. I told him he should be thankful.
Andrew got a second chance. The jury gave him grace I thought he didn’t deserve. And the “Double Jeopardy” clause of the 5th Amendment made it impossible to prosecute Andrew again for this murder. He was completely free and clear.
God gave me grace I didn’t deserve. Though He is not bound by the Fifth Amendment, God will not judge an offense twice. When Christ paid the penalty for sin, God’s justice was satisfied. Those who receive an acquittal (by grace through faith) will not be judged for what Christ has already paid. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) The repentant soul who trusts in Jesus, God declares, “Not guilty!”

“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)