mistrial
Case thrown out
A mistrial is a trial that has been terminated and declared void before a verdict is reached.
Common causes include a hung jury that cannot agree, procedural errors, juror misconduct, or prejudicial statements that compromise fairness.
When a mistrial is declared, the case may be retried from the beginning: The judge declared a mistrial after discovering the jury had been tainted.
Unanimous verdict impossible
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- jury deliberationJurors' private decision-making process
- verdictOfficial court decision
courtroom · judge · prosecution · defense · attorney · testimony · evidence · witness
Removal from position
- appealFormal review request
- continuanceSustained extension forward
- case dismissedLegal proceeding terminated
- plea bargainNegotiated criminal case resolution
settlement · double jeopardy · acquittal · legal strategy · case review
Illegally influencing trial panelists
- prosecutorial misconductImproper actions by state attorneys
- inadmissible evidenceMaterial courts cannot consider
- conflict of interestCompromised impartiality from competing stakes
- disqualificationRemoval from eligibility
recusal · contamination · irregularity · bias · witness intimidation
Guaranteed judicial fairness
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- taintedContaminated, made impure
compromised · constitutional rights · fair hearing · legal remedy
hung jury
Unanimous verdict impossible
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- jury deliberationJurors' private decision-making process
verdict · courtroom · judge · prosecution · defense · attorney · testimony · evidence · witness · bench
dismissal
Removal from position
- appealFormal review request
- continuanceSustained extension forward
- case dismissedLegal proceeding terminated
plea bargain · settlement · double jeopardy · acquittal · legal strategy · case review
jury tampering
Illegally influencing trial panelists
- prosecutorial misconductImproper actions by state attorneys
- inadmissible evidenceMaterial courts cannot consider
- conflict of interestCompromised impartiality from competing stakes
disqualification · recusal · contamination · irregularity · bias · witness intimidation
due process
Guaranteed judicial fairness
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
tainted · compromised · constitutional rights · fair hearing · legal remedy
- criminal proceedingsarraignment, prosecution, charging, plea hearing, sentencing hearing
- jury trialjury deliberation, jury selection, juror selection, voir dire, jury pool
- court proceduresbail hearings, civil procedure, criminal procedure, jury instructions, arraignment
- Legal Errorsmisfiling, clerical error, paperwork error, recording error, late filing
- trial tacticsobjection, cross-examination, opening statement, closing argument, jury selection
- case endingsmotion to dismiss, dropped charges, nonsuit, without prejudice, summary judgment
mistrialverdict
Official court decision
conviction · acquittal · fair trial · guilty verdict · not guilty verdict