Definition

Noun A jury that, after deliberation, cannot reach a unanimous or required majority verdict. This failure to agree results in a mistrial, meaning the case is not resolved and may be retried.

Usage

The term is used specifically in legal contexts to describe the outcome of jury deliberations. It highlights a deadlock where jurors are irreconcilably divided.

Examples: * The judge was forced to declare a mistrial due to a hung jury. * After five days of debate, the panel remained a hung jury, split 6-6. * The prosecution feared a hung jury and offered a plea deal.

Advanced Usage

• "to hang a jury": This verb phrase describes the action of causing a jury to become deadlocked.
  • Example: "A single stubborn juror can hang a jury."
• The concept is central to discussions about jury systems, unanimity requirements, and legal strategy.

Variants and Related Words

• Mistrial (n): An invalid trial, declared for reasons such as a hung jury, procedural error, or juror misconduct.
• Deadlocked jury (n): A synonymous phrase for a hung jury.
• Jury deadlock (n): The state of being unable to reach a verdict.

Synonyms

• Deadlocked jury
• Jury unable to reach a verdict

Related Phrases

• "The jury was hung.": A common way to state the outcome.
  • Example: "After 40 hours of deliberation, the jury was hung."

Noun

1. a jury that is unable to agree on a verdict (the result is a mistrial)