Less than a week ago, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation stemming from his “hoax hate crime” in January 2019. He was found guilty in December, and last week’s court hearing was just for the sentencing. People obviously had strong feelings in both directions about Jussie’s sentence of what was basically five months in an Illinois jail – some believed that Jussie should not be put in jail whatsoever, and others believed that his sentence should have been a lot longer. The case was of course amplified by the right-wing as some kind of unhinged “gotcha” because… Democrats gave Jussie the benefit of doubt at first? Something like that. Anyway, everyone seems to be mad about this too – Jussie was released from jail after six days. What the–
Jussie Smollett has been released from jail. Jussie was granted the opportunity to post a bail of $150,000 and leave jail six days into his 150-day sentence, according to the court order obtained by E! News on March 16.
Jussie’s lawyer is filing an appeal on his case, but the appellate court said their decision may not be completed until after the duration of Jussie’s sentence, leading them to grant his “stay” or pause in jail time. The fact that Jussie was convicted of a non-violent crime also weighed into the decision, per the order. In the event that Jussie loses his appeal, the actor will then serve his sentence issued on March 10 from scratch.
After the order, Jussie was seen walking out of the jail and getting into an SUV on Wednesday evening. He did not speak to reporters.
“We’ve been complaining about the disparate treatment of African Americans in the judicial system regardless of what you think about this case. Some people might think Mr. Smollett is guilty. I disagree,” Jussie’s lawyer, Nenye Uche, told reporters after his release. “But a real question is should Black men be locked into jail for a class four felony. Shame on you if you think they should. That’s a disgrace. It’s wrong.
The attorney said Jussie has not eaten in six days, only consuming ice water. “Maybe he knew spiritually something we didn’t know,” he added.
Beyond the 150 days in county jail, Jussie was also sentenced to 30 months of felony probation and ordered to pay about $120,000 in restitution to the city and a fine of $25,000.
…. Why was he even put in jail in the first place, my God. It would have been less of a giant nuisance if, after his sentencing, he had just been released pending the appeal and allowed to post bond or whatever. I also think it’s probably worth having a larger conversation about whether people should serve five months in jail for a class four felony. But in Illinois, this particular class four felony (filing a false police report) could have potentially gotten Jussie a sentence of three years in jail. That’s why people were like “hey, five months isn’t terrible.” And then he only serves six days anyway. Whew.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Getty.
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- Chicago, IL – Jussie Smollett Mugshot following his arrest on February 21st. Pictured: Jussie Smollett BACKGRID USA 21 FEBRUARY 2019 BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Chicago, IL – Jussie Smollett leaves court after all charges are dropped against him after it was alleged he had faked a racist attack against him. Pictured: Jussie Smollett BACKGRID USA 26 MARCH 2019 BYLINE MUST READ: SHADY / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Chicago, IL – Jussie Smollett leaves court after all charges are dropped against him after it was alleged he had faked a racist attack against him. Pictured: Jussie Smollett BACKGRID USA 26 MARCH 2019 BYLINE MUST READ: SHADY / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Chicago, IL – Jussie Smollett is followed by a media frenzy as he leaves Cook County Courthouse in Chicago. Pictured: Jussie Smollett BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2021 BYLINE MUST READ: Paparazzi Papi / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Cook County, IL – Jussie Smollett poses for his mugshot at the start of his 150-day prison sentence after he was convicted of faking a racial and homophobic attack in Chicago. Pictured: Jussie Smollett BACKGRID USA 11 MARCH 2022 BYLINE MUST READ: Cook County Sheriff’s Office / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
I don’t know how it is in Illinois, but in many places in the US jails are terribly overcrowded, adding Covid to the mix made it worse. Taking up space for filing a false report is probably a bit much. I’ve even heard of people being released early because there is just not enough room to hold everyone, notwithstanding actual violent criminals. A large fine and probation/community service would’ve been sufficient in my opinion.
He should have never been in jail but he should pay restitution and seek mental help. He is a mess and seemingly a jerk.
So much drama. He’s not worth all of this.
I think he had to serve at least some jail time because a fine isn’t a deterrent – I’m sure he already had a list of entities lined up to pay it (not to mention he isn’t destitute). His crime was non-violent but it was not a victimless crime. He faked a HATE CRIME and that is detrimental to all who came before and will assuredly come after. Add the fact that he continues to lie about it to this day and his performance in the court room. He needed to see the inside of a cell.
I don’t mind the early release because I can only imagine how horrible the entire process of going IN to jail must be and I feel like that experience is punishment in itself.
Good. Let’s release non-violent offenders and take their money (a fine, plus money back for the courts when appropriate.) if we need to punish jussie other than money that he owes to police, community service would be more appropriate than prison. And in addition, why aren’t prisons vegetarian (costs less and better for the earth and healthier) and why do they allow unlimited internet usage meaning the convict men can use dating sites and meet gullible women to use? If my current and former workplaces can block certain sites, so can a prison. Prisons are making all kinds of mistakes imo. Also they should lower the phone call fees, it’s like they are trying to make the convicts crazy, isolating them from their loved ones and letting them do what they want online, how is that logical?!
@Honora I agree with everything you said here. You made some very valid points.
Yes!!! I so agree with all of this!
Jussie’s name has been dragged through the mud and he’s probably unemployable. I vehemently disagree with the idea we should ruin a Black man’s (or anyone’s!) entire life due to just one first-time, non-violent minor violation — which he is obviously never going to be able to repeat. The media (mostly the right wing trash) did their level best to pervert any possible hopes for justice in this case. And if the CPD hadn’t gone overboard trying to get revenge on a Black man for THE CPD’S OWN INTERNAL decision to put a much larger than usual number of officers on the case, anyone else would have never ever faced this kind of sentence.
And for those who don’t know, the Chicago Police Department has a long history of horrific brutality toward Black people.
I agree with you. There’s a lot wrong with prisons in the United States and I don’t understand why we send anyone to jail for nonviolent offenses. There’s a woman who is getting a new trial after she got sent to prison for 6 years for voting illegally according to the prosecution. But other people (white) who did this in 2020 did not get jail time. FYI, this is why they teach CRT in law school.
Arguably, prison time is an equalizer. The wealthy should not be more able to commit crimes because they can pay fines until the cows come home. That’s not to say that the wealthy don’t have it better in prison, but justice should not be that a wealthy athlete or movie star or politician can pay a $50k fine without breaking a sweat, so they aren’t really worried about breaking the law or getting caught, whereas someone unemployed, homeless, or of lower income would take years to recover from such a financial blow, and could in turn lead to them commiting further crimes just to raise $$$.
I can’t with Jussie, period.
It pays to be rich.
If he had just admitted what he did and saved the taxpayers the money on that investigation and trial, I would be fine with community service and a massive fine. But this guy is a clown he deserves to do time. He was offered a plea deal too (allegedly), confess and get a reduced sentence. He refused because be doesn’t think he did anything wrong. So yeah, 150 days is more than fair.
Court ordered therapy, would be MUCH more effective than jail for someone like him. He’s got some kind of behavior problem, ‘victim narcissist’ is what I’ve seen written. And it’s really not about punishment or helping him, but protecting everyone else from his destructive behavior. Otherwise, he will never stop…Six days in jail, no eating = I’m a victim, give me attention.
The most telling part about this whole saga is that is was mostly Black folks who first clocked Jussie’s story as fake. Wealth, privilege, and colorism have played a role in this for sure.
The people advocating for Jussie not to serve any jail time hopefully felt the same about non violent offenders Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman
Why should we? Most of the time white women/men who do nonviolent crimes don’t get jail time. Which was what was so surprising about the Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin cases.
Because it makes you just like the justice system you rally against, non violent crimes shouldnt require jail time no matter what color of your skin.
I hope that every time a victim of a hate crime is accused of “pulling a Jussie Smollet”, this non-violent offender has to issue a public apology. Again. Over and over. And over.
Yeah no. The justice system has been shown time and time again to not hand down the same sentences for similar crimes when compared to white criminals. You deciding that Felicity should not serve jail time when usually white women and men do not. Felicity and Lori got jail time and it was noted to be unusual and many thought they get fines and probation.
Yeah no what? What I said is nobody who commits a non violent crime should serve jail time. I believe that weather someone is white or black, you clearly do not believe that which literally makes you just like the system you dislike. Its extremely hypocritical to say Jussie doesnt deserve to serve time but Felicity does.
I don’t know how someone can ignore how race and systematic racism play a role in not believing Jussie deserved real jail time for this versus a Lorie or Felicity. A situation like this doesn’t demand equality but equity. Equity isn’t a straight comparison give-take. It’s giving what’s specifically needed. That moment, equality wasn’t the answer with Jussie in light of the massive weight of evident social racism at play with our Justice System.
Thank you for putting it so beautifully.
Used to love Taraji P. Henson. She used to be one of my favorite actresses, and now she’s completely cancelled in my eyes for going in support of this POS. I have zero respect for her and even less for him.
As far as I’m concerned, anyone who was in support of him definitely has some of their integrity misplaced.