What is a Mistrial?
A mistrial occurs when a trial is terminated before its normal conclusion due to some error or misconduct that affects the fairness of the proceedings. This could happen for various reasons such as jury misconduct, procedural errors, or the inability to reach a unanimous verdict.
Common Reasons for Mistrials:
- Jury misconduct
- Prosecutorial misconduct
- Witness tampering
- Prejudicial evidence
- Judicial error
Examples of Mistrials:
In a high-profile case, the judge may declare a mistrial if the jury has been exposed to outside information or if there was a hung jury, meaning they could not reach a unanimous decision. In another scenario, a mistrial could be declared due to a procedural error made by the court or misconduct by the prosecution.
Case Studies:
In the O.J. Simpson trial, the judge declared a mistrial after it was discovered that evidence had been mishandled by the police, leading to concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. In the case of Bill Cosby, a mistrial was declared after the jury was unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a retrial.
Statistics on Mistrials:
According to the National Center for State Courts, mistrials are relatively rare, occurring in less than 2% of criminal cases. However, they can have significant consequences for both the prosecution and the defense, resulting in delays and additional costs.
