The court found that the decision by a special prosecutor to retry the case was unjust, emphasizing the importance of honoring agreements made with defendants.

In 2021, Smollett was convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct, maintaining his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction for staging a hate crime and lying to police, ruling that he should not have faced charges twice after a deal was made with prosecutors.

The Supreme Court ruled that Smollett's case was subject to the double jeopardy clause, affirming that the non-prosecution agreement should have been honored, citing concerns over fairness and contract principles.

Smollett initially reported an attack in January 2019, claiming he was targeted with racist and homophobic slurs and assaulted by two men who placed a noose around his neck.

Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx expressed no surprise at the Supreme Court's decision, calling the second prosecution illegitimate and stating that the case was handled similarly to thousands of other non-violent crimes.

Foxx defended her office's handling of the case, arguing that re-prosecuting Smollett would undermine prosecutorial discretion and set a dangerous precedent.

The Osundairo brothers criticized the plea deal as a 'sweetheart deal' only available to those with celebrity status and influence, suggesting that Smollett's fame influenced the outcome.

The case emerged amid heightened tensions surrounding race, sexuality, and political rhetoric in the United States, especially during the Trump administration.

During a public statement in February 2019, Smollett expressed gratitude for the support he received and emphasized the importance of addressing violence against marginalized communities.

The decision represents a surprising turn in a high-profile criminal trial that concluded in December 2021, drawing significant media attention and public scrutiny.

The court's decision was reported by CNN correspondent Polo Sandoval on November 21, 2024.