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
But the evidence mishap last Wednesday, where a witness read aloud something that was supposed to be excluded, sent the trial to the brink of a possible mistrial yet again and triggered the new round of plea deals.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024
This led to a mistrial on January 28, 1994, and set the stage for a second trial in 1995.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
String of plea deals The prosecution's agreement with Young Thug came after three co-defendants took plea deals this week following mounting speculation that Whitaker could order a mistrial.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
Last week, the case appeared on the brink of a mistrial after a prosecution witness accidentally read an unredacted document out loud in front of the jury.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial 
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024
This led to a mistrial on January 28, 1994, and set the stage for a second trial in 1995.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
String of plea deals The prosecution's agreement with Young Thug came after three co-defendants took plea deals this week following mounting speculation that Whitaker could order a mistrial.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
Last week, the case appeared on the brink of a mistrial after a prosecution witness accidentally read an unredacted document out loud in front of the jury.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial
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Dictionary Entries Near mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 5 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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