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

Earlier Friday, Wiley instructed the jury to continue deliberations and denied a request by Penny's defense attorneys to declare a mistrial. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

The case, which required two trials — the first ending in a mistrial — has long captured national attention. —Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

After their first trial ended in a mistrial, a jury found the brothers guilty in 1996. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024

Taylor faced a murder charge in connection with the Ramos killing, but the case ended in a mistrial last year after a jury announced it was deadlocked. —Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Nov. 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