Autrefois Acquit in United Kingdom

Definition of Autrefois Acquit

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Autrefois Acquit : (French: previously acquitted)

A *special plea in bar of arraignment claiming that the defendant has previously been acquitted by a court of competent jurisdiction of the same (or substantially the same) offence as that with which he is now charged or that he could have been convicted on an earlier indictment of the same (or substantially the same) offence. When this plea is entered the judge determines the issue. If the plea is successful it bars further proceedings on the indictment. The plea may be combined with one of *not guilty.

See also nemo debet bis vexari.