retrial
Britishnoun
Explanation
In law, a retrial is a new trial for a case that's already been tried, or that's had its trial halted because of a hung jury or another disqualifying reason. An attorney can file for a retrial if she believes there's been some kind of misconduct or bias on the part of the jury, or if she discovers that a judge has some conflict of interest. If a defendant is found guilty during a trial, she can continue to request retrials for reasons like newly discovered evidence. In the United States, when someone is tried and found to be innocent, the Fifth Amendment does not allow a retrial.
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.
Yates was initially convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but she was found not guilty by reason of insanity at a 2006 retrial and committed to a psychiatric hospital.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
He faced the possibility of a retrial, but instead opted to accept a plea deal that allowed him to be released based on time already served.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Atkins did not appear in court for any of his retrial.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Following a retrial, Natland showed no emotion as the jury brought in a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for just over 17 hours.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
In the retrial, the jury convicted and imprisoned De La Beckwith for the murder of Medgar Evers.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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.
