The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment does not prohibit two different states from separately prosecuting and convicting the same individual for the same illegal act. Decided December 3, 1985 (argued October 9, 1985). Opinion of the Court: Sandra Day O'Connor → go there Dissenting: Brennan, Marshall. Topic: Federalism. Heath v. Alabama, 474 U.S. 82 (1985), is a case in which the United States Supreme Court ruled that, because of the doctrine of "dual sovereignty", the double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution does not prohibit one state from prosecuting and punishing somebody for an act of which they had already been convicted of and sentenced for in another state. Wiki link