Allen charge

noun

Al·​len charge

ˈa-lən-

: a charge to a deadlocked jury to make a further effort to reach a verdict especially by each juror considering the others' opinions with deference

called also dynamite charge

Word History

Etymology

from the Supreme Court case Allen v. United States, 164 U.S. 492 (1896), which upheld the right of a trial judge to make such a charge