Jussie Smollett Appeals to Illinois Supreme Court Over Hate Crime Conviction

The actor's legal team argues a previous non-prosecution agreement and claims of double jeopardy in a case that has sparked significant public and political discourse.

Jussie Smollett has petitioned the Illinois Supreme Court to review his conviction and sentence for falsely reporting a hate crime, after a lower appellate court upheld the conviction.
Smollett's legal team argues that a non-prosecution agreement was reached when he forfeited his bond and performed community service, claiming double jeopardy.
The appeals court rejected Smollett's argument, with one justice dissenting, stating that the dismissal of charges did not constitute a non-prosecution agreement.
Smollett was convicted on five of six counts of disorderly conduct in 2021, sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay $130,160 in restitution.
The case has garnered widespread attention due to its implications on informal and formal deferred prosecution agreements and the intersection of politics and public outrage.