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 last year but that ended in mistrial.
—
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
In Michigan, a mistrial was declared in the murder trial of the officer who killed Mr. Lyoya, after the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.
—Cameron Joseph, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
One of the convictions was overturned, leading to a second trial that ended in a mistrial.
—Peter D'abrosca , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
That ended in a mistrial after a juror read media accounts of the case and a second retrial in June 2023 ended in a deadlocked jury, according to the district attorney.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistrial
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Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
In Michigan, a mistrial was declared in the murder trial of the officer who killed Mr. Lyoya, after the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.
—Cameron Joseph, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
One of the convictions was overturned, leading to a second trial that ended in a mistrial.
—Peter D'abrosca , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
That ended in a mistrial after a juror read media accounts of the case and a second retrial in June 2023 ended in a deadlocked jury, according to the district attorney.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 20 May 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 4 Jun. 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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