The Illinois Supreme Court has annulled Jussie Smollett's conviction for orchestrating a hate crime hoax as of Thursday.
"In today's ruling, we address the obligation of the State to uphold the agreements it establishes with defendants," the court stated in documents acquired by Fox News Digital. "Specifically, we examine whether a case dismissal through nolle prosequi permits the State to initiate a subsequent prosecution when such dismissal was part of an agreement with the defendant, who has fulfilled their obligations. We conclude that a second prosecution in these circumstances constitutes a violation of due process, leading us to overturn the defendant's conviction."
Initially, the charges against Smollett were dismissed. Following a request from special prosecutor Kim Foxx for a renewed investigation, the "Empire" actor was found guilty on five felony counts and subsequently sentenced to 150 days in county jail. The Illinois Supreme Court determined that the special prosecutor's choice to retry Smollett on these charges infringed upon his rights.
Jussie Smollett is seen in court.
"In today's ruling, we address the obligation of the State to uphold the agreements it establishes with defendants," remarked Mark Geragos, Smollett's attorney, to Fox News Digital. "We conclude that a second prosecution in these circumstances constitutes a violation of due process, leading us to overturn the defendant's conviction."