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Simple English definitions for legal terms
deadlocked jury
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A quick definition of deadlocked jury:
A deadlocked jury, also known as a hung jury, is when a group of people who are supposed to decide if someone is guilty or not cannot agree on a decision. Even if they try really hard, they cannot come to a conclusion that meets the required voting rules. This means that the trial has to start over again. The judge will try to avoid this by telling the jury to keep talking and trying to agree. If they still can't agree, the judge will say that the trial is over and nobody is guilty or not guilty.
A more thorough explanation:
A deadlocked jury, also known as a hung jury, is a situation where the members of a jury are unable to reach a verdict by the required voting margin, resulting in a mistrial. This happens when the jurors cannot agree on a decision, even after honest attempts to do so.
For example, if a jury is tasked with deciding whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty, and after several rounds of deliberation, they are still split evenly, the jury is considered deadlocked. In this case, the judge may send the jury back for further deliberation, hoping that they will eventually reach a verdict. However, if the jury is still unable to reach a decision, the judge will declare a mistrial.
Deadlocked juries can be frustrating for everyone involved, as they often result in a retrial of the case. However, they are an important part of the legal system, as they ensure that a defendant is not convicted or acquitted without a fair and unanimous decision from the jury.