mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On July 22, 2023, over a month after the start of the trial, Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial after the jury remained deadlocked on the charges for three days. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 An initial trial on the charges ended in a mistrial in November 2023. Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Nov. 2024 Weeks after a judge declared a mistrial in the case, David was indicted on a manslaughter charge and remains in jail awaiting a new trial. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024 The first trials—when each brother was tried separately—were major news events and had evidence of the brothers’ abuse, but both resulted in mistrials. Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mistrial 

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistrial was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near mistrial

Cite this Entry

“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrial

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