mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that has no legal effect with regard to one or more of the charges brought against the defendant because of some serious error or prejudicial misconduct in the proceedings or a hung jury

Examples of mistrial in a Sentence

The judge declared a mistrial.
Recent Examples on the Web The verdict followed November's mistrial on similar charges. The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 McDonald’s testimony, however, almost upended the whole proceedings, since one of the prosecutors’ leading questions prompted Washington’s attorney, Kellman, to request a mistrial. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024 After a mistrial, an ex-LAPD cop who fatally shot a disabled man in a Corona Costco won’t be retried. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 His attorneys argued in the mistrial motion that Carroll deleted threatening messages, including death threats. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024 Judge Michael Jones declared a mistrial Friday, Placer Superior Court records show. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 But the judge declared a mistrial after only a few days of testimony. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024 Judge Kaplan's denial of the earlier mistrial request was swift. Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Sanchez’s attorney, Michael Schwartz, said the jury had been deliberating for about 3½ days before the mistrial was declared. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mistrial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistrial was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near mistrial

Cite this Entry

“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that terminates without a verdict because of error, necessity, prejudicial misconduct, or a hung jury see also manifest necessity compare dismissal sense 2, trial de novo

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrial

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