Criminal Justice Practice Exam

A hung jury occurs when jurors are unable to reach a unanimous agreement on a verdict after thorough deliberation. This situation indicates that the jurors have engaged in serious discussion, considering the evidence and arguments presented during the trial, but remain divided on the outcome. As a result, the jurors cannot render a decision, and this scenario may necessitate a retrial or further legal proceedings, depending on the specific circumstances and jurisdiction.

The other options do not accurately describe the situation of a juror being unable to agree. Exoneration refers to the clearing of blame or charges against a defendant, which does not apply to a situation where deliberation is ongoing. Dismissing a juror who cannot agree is not a typical outcome; instead, all jurors usually continue to deliberate until a consensus is reached or a hung jury is declared. Conviction indicates a guilty verdict, which cannot occur if there is no agreement among the jurors.