A mistrial is a legal term used to describe a trial that must end before the case is concluded. A mistrial occurs when the court determines that a fair trial is impossible due to some type of prejudice or technological failure. Generally, the judge presiding over the case must order a mistrial when jurors or witnesses are exposed to evidence that is not allowed in court or when a witness or juror is unable to serve for a valid reason.
Mistrials can also occur due to a hung jury, when a jury cannot reach a verdict. For instance, in 2020, the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd, ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. The jury was unable to settle on a unanimous decision.
When a mistrial is declared, the legal proceedings must usually start again from the beginning. The prosecution decides if they want to continue the case or if they want it dropped. In some cases, when a conflicting statement or piece of evidence is found, the judge may be able to declare a “partial mistrial” and continue the trial from that point.
In conclusion, a mistrial is a way for the court to protect the rights of both parties in a legal case. It is important to understand that a mistrial does not mean the case is always dropped; it simply means that the trial must start over again. This is yet another example of how the court system helps to ensure justice for all.