Hung Jury

A hung jury or deadlocked jury occurs when the jury cannot agree on a verdict in a criminal case after deliberating and voting. Generally, if there is a hung jury a mistrial is declared and the prosecution can retry the case, attempt to negotiate a plea bargain or drop the case.

The trial will have no effect on the innocence or guilt of the accused. In criminal trials a hung jury is not that uncommon because the verdict must have unanimous support, but if there is a hung jury the judge will generally ask the jury to reconvene and continue to discuss the case to see if they can reach a verdict. Judicial experts, however, argue this process may put undue pressure on some jurors to change their minds.