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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 22 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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