mistrial

American  

[mis-trahy-uhl, -trahyl] / mɪsˈtraɪ əl, -ˈtraɪl /

noun

Law.

1. a trial terminated without conclusion on the merits of the case because of some error in the proceedings.

2. an inconclusive trial, as where the jury cannot agree.

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mistrial British  

/ mɪsˈtraɪəl /

noun

1. a trial made void because of some error, such as a defect in procedure

2. (in the US) an inconclusive trial, as when a jury cannot agree on a verdict

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Etymology

Origin of mistrial

First recorded in 1620–30; mis- ¹ + trial

Example Sentences

The Angels complained that two weeks might not be long enough to present their case, giving the plaintiffs an unfair advantage, even suggesting the issue could lead to a mistrial.

From Los Angeles Times

A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in a case against a former Whittier detective accused of multiple counts of assault.

From Los Angeles Times

Ferguson was first put on trial in March, but a mistrial was declared when the jury deadlocked on a charge of second-degree murder.

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re a regular consumer of courtroom dramas, you might think a split verdict would mean a mistrial, and today it would.

From Salon

Contreras said Singh was so shaken by the encounter that his attorneys pushed the judge to declare a mistrial on the grounds that Morales was trying to intimidate a party to the case.

From Los Angeles Times