manifest necessity

noun

Legal Definition of manifest necessity

: a circumstance (as an incurable pleading defect, the unavailability of an essential witness, juror misconduct, or illness of counsel) which is of such an overwhelming and unforeseeable nature that the conduct of trial or reaching of a fair result is impossible and which necessitates the declaration of a mistrial

Note: If there is a manifest necessity for the declaration of a mistrial, the defendant may be retried without violation of the prohibition on double jeopardy.

Learn More About manifest necessity

Dictionary Entries Near manifest necessity

manifest injustice

manifest necessity

manifest weight of the evidence

Cite this Entry

“Manifest necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/manifest%20necessity. Accessed 19 Oct. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA