MISTRIAL Meaning and
Definition
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A mistrial is a legal term that refers to the termination of a trial before it reaches its conclusion due to some error, irregularity, or misconduct that jeopardizes the fairness and integrity of the proceedings. It is a declaration by the presiding judge that the trial has become invalid and cannot proceed further, usually leading to the case being retried at a later date.
Mistrials can occur for various reasons. One common situation is when it is discovered that the jury has been exposed to extraneous information or influenced by outside sources, such as media reports or conversations. This can compromise their ability to render an impartial decision. Additionally, if it is determined that the jury was impaneled improperly or if the judge makes a serious error in the instructions given to the jury, a mistrial might be declared.
Other circumstances that may result in a mistrial include the discovery of serious misconduct by the prosecution, defense, or even the judge, which can undermine the fairness of the trial. Moreover, if a crucial piece of evidence is improperly presented or if there is a violation of legal procedures, such as the failure to offer a valid witness or the mishandling of exhibits, a mistrial may be declared.
In a mistrial, all the progress made during the trial is brushed aside, and the case is essentially reset to its original state. This means that a new trial will need to be scheduled, and the prosecution and the defense will have to present their cases anew to a different jury.
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Etymology of MISTRIAL
The word "mistrial" originated from the Old French term "mister", which means "to fail" or "to err". The word was later combined with the Latin word "trialis", denoting "pertaining to trial", to form the Old French term "misteriel". Eventually, it evolved into the Middle English term "misterien" and later "mysteryal", which referred to a failure during a legal trial. Over time, the spelling of the word changed, and it eventually settled on its current form, "mistrial", which is still used to indicate an invalid or inconclusive trial.
Similar spelling words for MISTRIAL
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