mistrial

American

[mis-trahy-uhl, -trahyl] / mɪsˈtraɪ əl, -ˈtraɪl /

noun

Law.

a trial terminated without conclusion on the merits of the case because of some error in the proceedings.
an inconclusive trial, as where the jury cannot agree.

mistrial British

/ mɪsˈtraɪəl /

noun

a trial made void because of some error, such as a defect in procedure
(in the US) an inconclusive trial, as when a jury cannot agree on a verdict

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mistrial

First recorded in 1620–30; mis- ¹ + trial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then, the presiding judge declared a mistrial on additional counts of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter as the jury did not produce a unanimous decision.

From Los Angeles Times

According to court filings, Rick Sternfeld, Delcid’s attorney, argued in court for a mistrial because of the disclosure, but the judge disagreed.

From Los Angeles Times

A jury acquitted Edwards on one charge and deadlocked on the others, causing a mistrial.

From The Wall Street Journal

“If it goes on, I will have no choice but to grant a mistrial,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pollack has also secured the acquittal of a former Enron executive and won back-to-back mistrials for a chicken company executive accused of price fixing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023