miscarriage of justice

Idioms  

1. An unfair decision, especially one in a court of law. For example, Many felt that his being expelled from the school was a miscarriage of justice. This expression, which uses miscarriage in the sense of “making a blunder,” was first recorded in 1875.

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Example Sentences

He said he "no longer wishes to have a lawyer" and the appeal should not continue as "it would likely lead to a miscarriage of justice".

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

The courts should step in to stop such a miscarriage of justice.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

John Price KC, prosecuting, told jurors that Malkinson had been "the victim of a most terrible miscarriage of justice, one of the worst there has been".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The 90-minute film does not claim to be exhaustive, but aims to offer the public the perspectives of both sides of a case that continues to prompt questions and accusations of a miscarriage of justice.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

This one massive miscarriage of justice had afflicted the whole community with despair and made it hard for me to be dispassionate.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson