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
She was tried on those charges last year, but the case ended in mistrial because of a hung jury.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
After Clemens testified, Walton declared a mistrial, ruling that federal prosecutors had presented inadmissible evidence to the jury.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Mar. 2025
When a jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, a judge declared a mistrial.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
The Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter declared a mistrial on Osborn’s charges due to the jury’s deadlock.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistrial
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Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
After Clemens testified, Walton declared a mistrial, ruling that federal prosecutors had presented inadmissible evidence to the jury.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Mar. 2025
When a jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, a judge declared a mistrial.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
The Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter declared a mistrial on Osborn’s charges due to the jury’s deadlock.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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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