hung jury

noun

1. a jury that cannot agree on a verdict.

hung jury

1. A jury that is unable to reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The result is a mistrial, and legal proceedings must be reinitiated to bring the case to trial again. Trying the case a second time does not constitute double jeopardy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of hung jury¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

That original trial ended with a hung jury after the Menendez brothers submitted allegations of abuse spanning several years.

From BBC

The brothers’ first trial, which included disturbing testimony detailing the abuse, ended in two hung juries.

From Los Angeles Times

That trial limited the use of evidence related to their abuse after a first trial resulted in a hung jury.

From Salon

Menendez was coming off his first federal corruption trial, which ended in a hung jury.

From Seattle Times

Seven years later Bakr's trial ended in a hung jury and a retrial was ordered.

From BBC