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 judge overseeing the case declared a mistrial on the counts where the jury could not reach a verdict, including the allegations made by Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
—
Staff and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
The lawsuit comes after a judge declared a mistrial last month in the case against Read, who was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2024
The trial ended in a mistrial on September 26, 2007, due to a hung jury, which was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction.
—Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 17 July 2024
Will a mistrial be declared, in the wake of Rusty heroically rushing to Raymond’s side to administer CPR?
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial 
Staff and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
The lawsuit comes after a judge declared a mistrial last month in the case against Read, who was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2024
The trial ended in a mistrial on September 26, 2007, due to a hung jury, which was deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction.
—Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 17 July 2024
Will a mistrial be declared, in the wake of Rusty heroically rushing to Raymond’s side to administer CPR?
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for mistrial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mistrial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 18 Sep. 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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