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.
The jury could not reach a verdict on the assault charge and the Crown Prosecution Service did not seek a retrial, so the count was allowed to lie on file.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The state Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, tossed out Murdaugh's murder conviction and ordered a retrial.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
A retrial into the death of the football great Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 after suffering heart failure, starts on Tuesday.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
The court determined that the trial judge failed to inform his lawyers that some of the jurors raised questions about the English proficiency of one of the panel members and ordered a retrial.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
“The thought of a retrial makes me weary,” he sighed.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
