HANG JURY Meaning and
Definition
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A hang jury refers to a situation in which a jury is unable to come to a unanimous decision in a trial, or alternatively, a minority of jurors are unable to convince the majority to change their opinion. The term "hang jury" is commonly used in the context of criminal trials, where the jury is responsible for determining the verdict of guilt or innocence.
In a hang jury situation, a lack of consensus is reached among the jurors after lengthy deliberation, leading to a deadlock and ultimately resulting in a mistrial. This occurs when the jurors are unable to reach a unanimous decision as required by the legal standards of the jurisdiction in question. The division of the jury may be due to a variety of reasons, such as conflicting interpretations of evidence, personal biases, or differing legal understandings.
The consequences of a hang jury can be significant, as it typically leads to the case being retried with a different jury panel. Consequently, this can result in prolonging the legal proceedings, increasing costs, and causing emotional stress to all parties involved.
It is important to note that the term "hang jury" should not be misconstrued as an inherent failure of the justice system or the principles of democracy. Rather, it is a recognition of the complexity and nuance of legal cases, where the differing perspectives of jurors can impact the outcome of a trial.
Etymology of HANG JURY
The term "hang jury" is a variation of the phrase "hung jury". The etymology of "hung jury" dates back to the 19th century in the United States. It derived from the word "hung", which means "to suspend" or "to be undecided" in this context, rather than the past tense of "hang".
The term "hung jury" refers to a jury that is unable to reach a unanimous verdict or a majority decision after careful deliberation. When a jury is hung, it signifies that the jurors are divided in their opinions and unable to come to a conclusive judgment. Consequently, a retrial or mistrial may be necessary in such cases.
The usage of "hung jury" has gradually evolved to include its variation "hang jury", although this alteration is less common. Overall, both terms stem from the idea of a jury that is "hung" or "suspended" in their decision-making process.
