Dual Sovereignty: The Legal Sledgehammer Waiting for Ghislaine Maxwell If Pardoned (Part 2) (7/29/25)

If Donald Trump were to issue a presidential pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell for her federal crimes, the doctrine of dual sovereignty could allow the state of New York to pursue separate charges against her without violating the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This legal principle recognizes that the federal government and state governments are distinct sovereigns, each with the authority to enforce their own laws. Therefore, a pardon at the federal level does not immunize a person from state prosecution for conduct that also violates state law. If Maxwell’s actions—such as recruiting and trafficking minors—also violated New York state statutes, she could face a new, independent indictment from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office or New York Attorney General, regardless of the federal pardon.

New York has already demonstrated its willingness to pursue high-profile sex trafficking and abuse cases, particularly when federal accountability fails or falters. The state has broad human trafficking, sexual abuse, and child endangerment laws that overlap with Maxwell’s federally convicted conduct. If prosecutors believe there is sufficient evidence that Maxwell’s crimes occurred within New York’s jurisdiction or harmed residents of the state, they could initiate charges anew under state law. In fact, the political and public appetite for state-level accountability could intensify following a federal pardon, as it would be seen by many as a miscarriage of justice. In that case, dual sovereignty becomes not just a legal tool—but a last-resort mechanism to ensure that Maxwell still faces consequences.



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