noun
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a trial made void because of some error, such as a defect in procedure
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(in the US) an inconclusive trial, as when a jury cannot agree on a verdict
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of mistrial
Explanation
When a judge cancels a trial, she declares a mistrial. In other words, she decides that some mistake has been made and the trial must begin again from the start, with a new jury. There are several reasons that a judge might declare a mistrial, including a hung jury, which is when the jury can't come to a unanimous decision. There might also be misconduct by an attorney, or improperly introduced evidence. A mistrial usually means having to start all over again. The noun mistrial begins with the prefix mis-, which comes from Old English and means "bad or wrong."
Vocabulary lists containing mistrial
Power Prefix: mis-
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Just Mercy
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Dear Martin
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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.
See Examples For:
Another of Forlini's lawyers, Nicolas D'Albora however denied any plans to seek a mistrial.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
In another, Pittman declared a mistrial because one attorney in the case wore a civil rights-themed t-shirt, honoring the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, claiming that the t-shirt contaminated the entire jury pool.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
Hwang said she agreed with him regarding the Allen charge, but declined to grant a mistrial without further inquiry with the jury.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
The judge declared a mistrial on that count.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Two full days, and the words unable to reach a verdict and mistrial and later date are still bouncing around in Jus’s head.
From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone
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 ● Jan. 8, 2026
The first trial, which featured separate juries for each brother, ended in mistrials.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2025
Earlier trials in February and June had ended in mistrials after jurors were unable to reach a verdict.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2024
The first prosecution, which began in 1993, ended with two hung juries and mistrials.
From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2023
It was the third trial, after two earlier mistrials.
From Reuters ● Oct. 16, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
