hung jury

American  

noun

1. a jury that cannot agree on a verdict.

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hung jury Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of hung jury

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

“The court finds that these two pieces of evidence presented here would have not have resulted in a hung jury nor in the conviction of a lesser instructed offense.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

Eventually, a hung jury can result in a mistrial.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2025

“If you thought you had a decent shot at a hung jury without that, I don’t think you would engender the judge’s ire in that way.”

From Salon • May 29, 2024

The outcome could be acquittal or conviction on all charges; conviction on some and acquittal on others; or a hung jury, if jurors are unable to reach unanimous agreement on a verdict.

From New York Times • May 28, 2024

I think that’s a point at which we might begin to discuss the question of whether we’re a hung jury or not.

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose