How Do Mistrials Happen
A mistrial is a legal term that refers to the termination of a trial before a verdict has been reached. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including
* The jury is unable to reach a verdict. This is the most common reason for a mistrial. If the jury is deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge will declare a mistrial.
* There is a significant error or misconduct that would prevent a fair trial. This could include the introduction of inadmissible evidence, the jury being exposed to prejudicial information, or the judge making an error that could affect the outcome of the case.
* A juror is unable to continue serving. This could happen if a juror becomes ill, dies, or is dismissed for cause. If a juror is dismissed for cause, it may not be possible to find a replacement juror without disrupting the trial, so the judge may declare a mistrial.
When a mistrial is declared, the case is essentially starting over. The prosecution must decide whether to retry the case, and the defense may also have some options, such as filing a motion for a new trial.
Here are some examples of mistrials that have occurred in recent years
* In 2017, Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The prosecution decided to retry the case, and Cosby was eventually convicted and sentenced to prison.
* In 2019, the trial of Jodi Arias for the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, ended in a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked. Arias was later retried and found guilty of murder.
* In 2020, the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the most serious charge, second-degree murder. Chauvin was later retried and found guilty of all charges.
Mistrials can be frustrating for both the prosecution and the defense, as they can prolong the legal process and add to the cost of the case. However, they are sometimes necessary to ensure that a defendant receives a fair trial.
Post a Comment