mistrial
noun
mis·tri·al
ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l 
: 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 ruling came after the judge declared a mistrial in mid-June, after a juror searched the internet for information and shared it, requiring the selection of a new jury.
—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The individual alleged to have started the Lachman fire was charged with arson in federal court, though the case ended in a mistrial.
—
Char Miller,
Time,
30 June 2026
For various other reasons, the judge ended up declaring a mistrial, and some of the jurors subsequently spoke to the press about their opinion of the case.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The week’s biggest stories Los Angeles Fires A mistrial was declared Friday in the federal trial of a 30-year-old former Uber driver accused of starting the Palisades fire.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistrial
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Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The individual alleged to have started the Lachman fire was charged with arson in federal court, though the case ended in a mistrial.
—
Char Miller,
Time,
30 June 2026
For various other reasons, the judge ended up declaring a mistrial, and some of the jurors subsequently spoke to the press about their opinion of the case.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The week’s biggest stories Los Angeles Fires A mistrial was declared Friday in the federal trial of a 30-year-old former Uber driver accused of starting the Palisades fire.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistrial
Cite this Entry
“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mistrial
noun
mis·tri·al
ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l
: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings
Legal Definition
mistrial
noun
mis·tri·al
ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl
: 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
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