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 of a woman accused of encouraging her son to kill a woman ended in a mistrial after issues with the jury — including one juror who did crossword puzzles during testimony and deliberations.
—
Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
The first trial – one of the first cases to be televised – ended in a mistrial after jurors deadlocked on the charges.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Nichols' lawyers called for a mistrial after a witness read an unredacted exhibit during his testimony.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Tensing was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter; after two mistrials, the charges were dropped.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial 
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Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
The first trial – one of the first cases to be televised – ended in a mistrial after jurors deadlocked on the charges.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Nichols' lawyers called for a mistrial after a witness read an unredacted exhibit during his testimony.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Tensing was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter; after two mistrials, the charges were dropped.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial
Dictionary Entries Near mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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