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

That led to a mistrial declared in late March by U.S. District Judge Donald Graham. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024

This part of her testimony caused the defense to demand a mistrial, a motion that was denied. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 30 May 2024

Litman says the longer the jury deliberates, the greater the chance of a mistrial. —Tyler Bartlam, NPR, 27 May 2024

That capital murder trial ended in mistrial after a jury was left deadlocked in an 11-1 vote after 11 hours of deliberation, NBCDFW reported. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 18 May 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