During what situation can a 'mistrial' be declared?

A mistrial can be declared when a jury is deadlocked, meaning they are unable to reach a unanimous or sufficient verdict. In scenarios where jurors cannot agree on a verdict after extensive deliberation, it indicates an impasse that hinders the judicial process. Consequently, the court recognizes that continuing deliberation would not lead to a resolution, thus warranting a mistrial declaration.

This ensures that the judicial system upholds fairness and justice, allowing for the possibility of a new trial with a different jury, which could avoid a potentially unjust outcome based on an undecided jury. Such situations reinforce the importance of a conclusive decision by jurors to maintain the integrity of the legal process.