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.
The suit, which ended in a mistrial on accusations of jury tampering, triggered a huge amount of negative press, leading to Ford issuing the apology. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 The criminal case ended in a mistrial in 2010, and Mr. Burgos was later convicted of molesting two more star tennis players. David W. Chen, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict for robbery counts and a mistrial was declared on those charges, court records show. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2024 Penny’s lawyers argued the impasse called for a mistrial. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2025.

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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