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

It is the second trial for Singh, after a trial in March ended in a hung jury.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

I really felt that it was possibly going to end in a hung jury, like a lot of other people, and was blown away.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2024

They were hopeful that smiles and approving nods from the juror could be enough to achieve a hung jury.

From Salon • May 31, 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

His first trial ended in a hung jury, but in the second one a jury convicted him.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger