A "hung jury" occurs when a jury cannot reach a unanimous decision or a required majority on a verdict in a legal case. This situation often arises during criminal trials, where the jurors may be divided in their opinions about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. When a hung jury is declared, the judge may choose to declare a mistrial. In the event of a hung jury, the prosecution may decide to retry the case, or they may choose to drop the charges altogether. A hung jury highlights the challenges of reaching consensus in a group and can prolong the legal process for all parties involved, including the defendant and the court system.