What does a mistrial signify about the conduct of a trial?

A mistrial indicates that the trial has not been conducted in a way that allows for a valid verdict to be reached, often due to significant legal errors, procedural issues, or problems with jury selection or juror conduct. When a mistrial is declared, it generally means that the issues encountered were substantial enough that they could compromise the fairness of the trial. This could involve situations where evidence was improperly admitted, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, or there were outside influences affecting the jury's impartiality. The declaration of a mistrial essentially resets the legal process, meaning that the case may need to be retried to ensure that justice can be appropriately served. In contrast to successfully reaching a verdict, a mistrial indicates that the integrity of the trial process has been undermined, warranting further legal action.