mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l 

: a trial that has no legal effect with regard to one or more of the charges brought against the defendant because of some serious error or prejudicial misconduct in the proceedings or a hung jury

Examples of mistrial in a Sentence

The judge declared a mistrial.

Recent Examples on the Web

On July 1, the judge declared a mistrial after the jury said it was deadlocked on the fifth day of deliberations. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

An initial trial on the same charges ended in a mistrial when the prior panel couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024

The judge rejected the defense’s request for a mistrial on both counts. —Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

The prosecutorial misstep led to the possibility of a mistrial, paving the way for Whitaker to see if prosecutors and defense lawyers could hash out plea deals. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l 

: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl 

: a trial that terminates without a verdict because of error, necessity, prejudicial misconduct, or a hung jury see also manifest necessity compare dismissal sense 2, trial de novo