What is meant by a hung jury?

A hung jury refers to the situation where a jury cannot reach a unanimous decision or agree on a verdict regarding a case. This often means that the jurors have differing opinions on the evidence presented during the trial or the interpretations of the law as it applies to that evidence. The result of a hung jury can lead to a mistrial, prompting the prosecution to decide whether to re-file charges and conduct a new trial.

In legal proceedings, reaching a verdict is crucial, as it resolves the case. When jurors are unable to come to a consensus, it indicates that the deliberation process was unsuccessful in reconciling their views, hence resulting in a stalemate. This is a pivotal concept in the legal system, as it underscores the importance of unanimity in decision-making for serious criminal cases and the potential need for re-evaluation of the case by the judicial system.