Juries that hung on all counts occurred least frequently (8 percent of cases studied). Juries hung on the first count of the indict- ment (generally the most serious charge) in 10 percent of cases and on at least one count charged in 13 percent of cases.

What percentage of trials end in a hung jury?

Some local courts in California, for example, have reported more than 20 percent of trials ending in hung juries. Federal criminal cases in Washington, D.C., averaged 15 percent hung juries in 1996 (the most recent year for which data were available), three times the rate in 1991.

How many jurors does it take to cause a hung jury?

In a criminal case in California, the jury verdict must be unanimous. All 12 jurors must agree that either the defendant is either guilty or not guilty. A hung jury happens when the jurors simply can't reach a unanimous verdict. It doesn't matter what the split is.