What type of motion is filed when procedural errors or misconduct render a fair trial impossible?

A mistrial is a legal term that refers to a trial that has been invalidated due to significant procedural errors, misconduct, or other issues that prevent a fair trial from occurring. In instances where the integrity of the trial process is compromised—whether by jury misconduct, prejudicial statements, improper evidence admission, or other significant factors—the court may declare a mistrial. This action acknowledges that the circumstances have made it impossible to conduct a fair and just trial.

The options surrounding the mistrial each serve different purposes within the judicial system. Dismissal generally pertains to terminating a case before it goes to trial or ending a case after trial but before a verdict for reasons applicable to the legal claims or defenses being raised. A motion for summary judgment is a request to the court to rule that the other party has no case, essentially resolving the issue before it reaches trial, based on the evidence presented. Finally, a motion to change venue requests a transfer of the trial to a different jurisdiction, often due to concerns about jury impartiality but does not directly address procedural errors during the trial itself. Thus, none of these alternatives address the specific situation of a trial needing to be halted because fairness has been compromised like a mistrial does.