hung jury

noun

1. a jury that cannot agree on a verdict.

hung jury

1. A jury that is unable to reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The result is a mistrial, and legal proceedings must be reinitiated to bring the case to trial again. Trying the case a second time does not constitute double jeopardy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of hung jury¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

During his first trial, Thaw pleaded insanity and the result was a hung jury.

From The Daily Beast

We held our collective breath because the defense needed only one juror to believe their improbable story for a hung jury.

From Washington Blade

Skoller relates how lucky he was for a hung jury—the final, deadlocked vote was eleven to one, for acquittal.

From The Daily Beast

As speculation of a hung jury escalates, Diane Dimond reports on the courtroom chatter.

From The Daily Beast

The first trial resulted in a hung jury, and a new one is scheduled for September in Los Angeles Superior Court.

From The Daily Beast

Because of this, no matter how many times the state puts Zimmerman on trial, the outcome will probably be the same: a hung jury.

From The Daily Beast

In the case of a hung jury, the presiding judge makes the final decision.

From The Daily Beast

The case, even at that point, might have ended with an acquittal or a hung jury, but Donnely wasn't through using his blackjack.

From Project Gutenberg

The trial resulted in a hung jury the first time, and in an acquittal on the second trial.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was little surprise to any one at the ranch when the trial resulted in a hung jury.

From Project Gutenberg