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

The trial came to an end on Monday, July 1, when Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone in Dedham, Mass., declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. —Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024

Cannone told them to continue deliberations one last time before declaring a mistrial. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 July 2024

How a mistrial could have changed the case If a judge declares a mistrial, that doesn’t mean a defendant is found innocent. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 June 2024

Cusick set a June 18 pretrial date to determine the way forward for the charges on which there was a mistrial. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 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