Major Controversies Surrounding Jussie Smollett: A Detailed Timeline
Public opinion and media debates around Jussie Smollett—discover key moments of controversy.
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer who started his career as a child actor, debuting in *The Mighty Ducks* (1992). He is best known for portraying Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series *Empire* from 2015 to 2019, where he played a musician.
2007: DUI Arrest
In 2007, Jussie Smollett pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts including providing false information to law enforcement stemming from a DUI stop.
January 2019: Hate Crime Claim
In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, which police later determined he staged.
January 29, 2019: Reported Attack
On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett told police that he was physically attacked outside his apartment building.
February 20, 2019: Charged with Filing False Police Report
On February 20, 2019, Jussie Smollett was charged with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report.
March 26, 2019: Charges Dropped
On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Jussie Smollett were dropped after he performed community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond.
April 12, 2019: City of Chicago Lawsuit
On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Jussie Smollett for the costs of the investigation.
June 2019: Independent Inquiry Request
In June 2019, Kim Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator regarding the Smollett case.
November 2019: Smollett's Countersuit
In November 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago.
February 11, 2020: Smollett Indicted Again
On February 11, 2020, Jussie Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct.
June 12, 2020: Double Jeopardy Claim Rejected
On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Jussie Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy.
2020: Re-indictment
In 2020, Jussie Smollett was re-indicted by a special prosecutor.
November 2021: Trial Begins
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's trial began.
December 2021: Conviction on Five Counts
In December 2021, Jussie Smollett was convicted on five counts related to filing a false police report.
March 10, 2022: Sentenced to Jail and Probation
On March 10, 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation.
March 2022: Sentenced to Jail
In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to jail.
March 16, 2022: Release from Jail
On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Jussie Smollett be released from jail pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction.
March 1, 2023: Appeal of Sentence
On March 1, 2023, Jussie Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction.
December 1, 2023: Conviction Upheld
On December 1, 2023, the court upheld Jussie Smollett's conviction.
2023: Conviction Upheld on Appeal
In 2023, Jussie Smollett's conviction was upheld on appeal.
November 21, 2024: Conviction Reversed by Illinois Supreme Court
On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction.
2024: Conviction Reversed
In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction.
