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

Ultimately, the judge could let the verdicts stand or declare a mistrial, requiring Fahie to face another trial with a different jury. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024

Taylor’s lawyers asked for a mistrial, but the judge denied the request. —The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024

Outbursts in Randle’s case are nothing new, and this fracas raises questions about whether Superior Court Judge John W. Kennedy, who is presiding over the case, will declare a mistrial. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024

Assuming a judge doesn’t declare a mistrial, jurors will hear closing arguments this week. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024

Bach argued that he and his colleagues were denied an opportunity to cross-examine previous witnesses over the reams of new material and motioned for a mistrial. —Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

The result has been a mixed bag of verdicts: convictions, acquittals and in one case, a mistrial. —Kelley Manley, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2024

The verdict followed November's mistrial on similar charges. —The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024

McDonald’s testimony, however, almost upended the whole proceedings, since one of the prosecutors’ leading questions prompted Washington’s attorney, Kellman, to request a mistrial. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 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