Define: Deadlocked Jury

A deadlocked jury, also known as a hung jury, refers to a situation where the jurors in a trial are unable to reach a unanimous decision on the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

If the jury is deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial. In such cases, the trial will be considered inconclusive, and the defendant may face a new trial with a different jury.

Yes, a deadlocked jury can lead to a mistrial. When the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial, and the case may be retried with a new jury.

The frequency of deadlocked juries varies depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case. While it is not uncommon for juries to reach a unanimous decision, deadlocked juries do occur in a significant number of trials.

Yes, if the jury is deadlocked and a mistrial is declared, the defendant can be retried. However, the decision to retry the case rests with the prosecution, who will consider various factors before making a determination.

In most jurisdictions, there are no specific limitations on the number of times a defendant can be retried due to a deadlocked jury. However, the prosecution must carefully consider the circumstances and the likelihood of obtaining a different outcome before deciding to retry the case.

In some cases, if the jury is deadlocked and a mistrial is declared, the prosecution may choose not to retry the case. This can result in a dismissal of charges against the defendant, effectively ending the legal proceedings.

Yes, if the jury is deadlocked, the judge may provide additional instructions to help the jurors reach a unanimous decision. These instructions can include encouraging further deliberation, clarifying legal principles, or reminding the jurors of their duty to consider all the evidence.

Yes, it is possible for a jury to be deadlocked on some charges while reaching a verdict on others. In such cases, the judge may accept the verdict on the charges where the jury has reached a unanimous decision and declare a mistrial on the remaining charges.

While a deadlocked jury can be frustrating for both the prosecution and the defence, it does not necessarily violate the defendant’s right to a fair trial. The legal system recognizes that reaching a unanimous decision can be challenging, and mistrials due to deadlocked juries are considered a normal part of the judicial process.