Jussie Smollett's convictions have been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Jussie Smollett has won his legal battle
The former 'Empire' actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail in March 2022 after being found guilty of lying about being a victim of a racist and homophobic attack and making a false police report, but his convictions have now been overturned after his legal team lodged an appeal in September.
Smollett's attorneys claimed that the actor's rights were violated after a special prosecutor decided to retry him, even though the initial charges against him were dropped.
In 2019, Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, alleging that two men assaulted him in downtown Chicago. The 42-year-old actor alleged that he was subjected to racial and homophobic abuse, and that the men put a noose around his neck.
Doubts subsequently grew about his allegations, and it was eventually determined by the police that he actually staged the attack with two acquaintances.
But the charges were ultimately dropped after Smollett completed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond.
Then, in 2020, a special prosecutor re-indicted him and Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail after being found guilty of lying about being a victim of an attack and making a false police report.
Smollett's lawyers have since insisted that the case should have ended when the initial disorderly conduct charges were dropped, after he completed community service and paid a bond.
And the Illinois Supreme Court has now reversed the convictions, acknowledging that Smollett has already fulfilled the plea agreement that he made back in 2019.
Smollett has always maintained his innocence, insisting "there was no hoax" and that he was the target of a hate crime.
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