What is a Hung Jury?
A hung jury occurs when a jury in a criminal trial is unable to reach a unanimous verdict. In the United States, a unanimous decision is required for both guilt and sentencing in criminal cases. If the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, the result is a hung jury.
Causes of a Hung Jury
There are several reasons why a jury may become deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict. These can include differences in opinion among jurors, inability to overcome biases, lack of evidence, or a simple unwillingness to convict.
Examples
- In a high-profile murder trial, the jury was deadlocked with some jurors believing the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt while others had doubts about the evidence presented.
- In a case involving police misconduct, jurors were unable to agree on whether the officer’s actions constituted excessive force or self-defense.
Consequences of a Hung Jury
When a jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the result is a mistrial. This can result in the case being retried with a new jury, leading to additional time and resources being spent on the legal process.
Case Studies
In the case of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial, the jury was deadlocked after deliberating for more than 52 hours. The judge declared a mistrial, and the case was retried, resulting in a conviction.
Statistics
According to research, approximately 5-10% of criminal trials in the United States end in a hung jury. This can vary based on the complexity of the case, the number of jurors involved, and the nature of the charges.
