What is the legal term for a situation where a jury cannot reach a verdict?

The term "Hung Jury" refers to a situation in which a jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision or a sufficient majority regarding the verdict in a trial. This stalemate prevents the court from delivering a final judgment, resulting in the need for further action.

When a jury is hung, the trial may be declared a mistrial by the judge, meaning that the case may have to be scheduled for a new trial with a different jury. The inability to reach a verdict indicates that the jury has not fulfilled its duty to come to a conclusion on the evidence presented during the trial. This term is critical in the legal system, as it often leads to retrials and impacts the rights of the defendants and the broader judicial process.

The other terms provided, such as "Mistrial," "Acquittal," and "Conviction," represent different legal outcomes and concepts that do not specifically describe the scenario of a jury being unable to reach a verdict. Understanding the distinction between these terms is essential for grasping the outcomes that a jury's decision may influence throughout the judicial process.