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In the United States and many other countries, with few exceptions, a unanimous decision by the jury is required in criminal cases.

That is often difficult to get. MA vs Clancy trial is an example of that. As of 1 September 2026, that 12-person jury has deliberated for more than 19 hours without being able to reach a unanimous verdict. A hung jury is definitely not what the justice system wants. It may or may not result in a retrial, with potentially the same result.

Just think how difficult it is to get any group of people to agree on something, let alone 12 jurors in a high-profile complicated trial.

Is it time to consider changing the unanimous requirement for criminal trials?

Please vote in the poll, which lists some possible alternatives, assuming a typical 12-person jury.

Note that, in some civil cases, only a majority of the 6-person jury is required.