Appeals Court Springs Jussie Smollett from Jail Because His Appeal Will Take Longer Than His Sentenc

[Calista241]

Source: Law & Crime

An Illinois appeals court has ordered that actor Jussie Smollett be released from jail pending an appeal.

Two justices signed the requisite Wednesday document; one dissented. The order was a response to a motion by Smollett’s attorneys to stay the actor’s sentence while the appellate justices considered a broader appeal on the merits and technicalities of the case.

The court agreed Smollett should remain free for the time being because he was “convicted on non-violent offenses” and because the appellate justices would “be unable to dispose” of the matter “before the defendant would have served his entire sentence of incarceration.”

“The defendant, Jussie Smollett, shall be released from the custody of the Cook County Sheriff upon the posting of a personal recognizance bond . . . in the amount of $150,000,” the document reads.

Justices Joy Cunningham and Thomas E. Hoffman signed the order in agreement. Justice Maureen E. Connors disagreed via a signature in the dissent column of the one-page order; she said simply that she “would deny the defendant’s motion.”

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/live-trials-current/jussie-smollett/appeals-court-springs-jussie-smollett-from-jail-because-his-appeal-will-take-longer-than-his-sentence/

[CurtEastPoint]

1. unequal under the law: one set of laws for the rich and famous, another for the rest of us.

[Rebl2]

2. Yep

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. In this case his fame and publicity got him a worse sentence.

[FBaggins]

10. As it should

Sentencing for such crimes necessarily takes into account the impact of the false report on police resources and on the community. His name recognition dramatically (pun intended) expanded both of those factors.

Put simply - his "fame" made the crime worse and thus made the sentence worse.

[Demsrule86]

8. I do not agree. I think the guy was treated very unfairly and am glad he is out of jail.

[Rocknation]

9. He got re-prosecuted because the prosecution screwed up by colluding with his family

Last edited Sat Apr 16, 2022, 12:25 PM - Edit history (5)

and cutting a plea deal for which he didn't even qualify. But that's because in America, the rules are that when the prosecution screws it up, you're SUPPOSED to get re-prosecuted.


Rocknation

[oldsoftie]

3. Oh what a crock of shit.

That acting job in the courtroom was better than anything he did on TV

[SarcasticSatyr]

4. Good Lord, just do the 150 days, and then go away ....

Cases like this undermine actual cases of racially motivated violence, of which there are many.

[MichMan]

6. He actually only has to serve half of it or 75 days

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Going to court gives him more publicity.

Every time he goes to court, he's escorted to and from the court by an entourage. And tons of papparazzi. Way better than quietly doing three months in minimum security.