# All Charges Against Jussie Smollett Dropped. Er, updated tried and sentenced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562 "2019-03-26T15:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/101 "2019-03-28T14:32:07Z")
And now president scumbag is getting in on the action: > [@](#): > > “FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago,” Trump tweeted Thursday morning. “It is an embarrassment to our nation!” There his is, expressing more outrage than he did over Charlottesville, Stoneman Douglas or Las Vegas. Utterly fucking pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/102 "2019-03-28T14:42:41Z")
> [@MarvinKitFox](#): > > According to abc7chicargo: > "On Wednesday, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx defended her office’s decision to drop all charges against Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself. > > “I believe this is a just outcome based on the circumstances,” Foxx said. > > Foxx said that the practice of dropping charges in exchange for community service and restitution is not uncommon for the Class 4 felonies that Smollett was charged with. " > > This quite clearly shows that he\*\*\* did do it\*\*\* and paid the “fine” in the same way one pays a fine for a traffic violation to avoid going to court. > OK, i did not know that one could null out 14 _felony_ charges with a fine, but that’s another matter… I’ve never heard of any kind of plea bargain where the defendant didn’t accept responsibility for his actions. That’s not the case here–he’s maintaining his innocence, looking for the ‘real perpetrators’, and considering suing the city of Chicago & the police department. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/103 "2019-03-28T14:53:42Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > And now president scumbag is getting in on the action: > > There his is, expressing more outrage than he did over Charlottesville, Stoneman Douglas or Las Vegas. Utterly fucking pathetic. I take it that this is a big story on Faux and Friends, then. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/104 "2019-03-28T15:04:44Z")
Even his “community service” seems sketchy. Rainbow thought he was volunteering. Stuffed envelopes,worked in the bookstore. Critiquing its Saturday broadcast LOL, poor guy must of been absolutely exhausted. :rolleyes: Jussie got an easy 18 hours of community service. Imho Usually they pick up trash or remove graffiti. I remember photos of Boy George in a yellow vest on trash detail. 😉 > **[Jussie Smollett's Community Service Was with Jesse Jackson's Org.](https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-community-service-rainbow-push-jesse-jackson-charges-dropped/)** > > Jussie Smollett logged a total of 18 hours of community service over 2 days and that satisfied prosecutors in Chicago. > [@](#): > > A Rainbow PUSH rep says it was their decision, not Jussie’s, to keep his work with them under wraps. The rep added that they viewed his efforts as volunteering, not community service. Point being … Jussie never mentioned his deal with prosecutors. Remember, the prosecutor’s office says it was in discussions with Smollett’s camp for weeks about dropping the charges. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/105 "2019-03-28T15:11:45Z")
More typical community service. > **[Boy George Court-Ordered Community Service Sweeping Streets for Department of...](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-boy-george-court-ordered-community-service-sweeping-streets-for-department-32839259.html)** > > Download this stock image: Boy George Court-Ordered Community Service Sweeping Streets for Department of Sanitation - BWBXPK from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/106 "2019-03-28T15:13:14Z")
Community service is something ordered by a judge, not volunteer work serving a special interest you like. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/107 "2019-03-28T16:12:34Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > And now president scumbag is getting in on the action: > > There his is, expressing more outrage than he did over Charlottesville, Stoneman Douglas or Las Vegas. Utterly fucking pathetic. Yep. Smollett is an asshole, and they should not have dropped the charges. But if there’s one thing that would get me to rally behind him, it’s President Bone Spurs taking up the case. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/108 "2019-03-28T16:15:22Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I’m most confused by how he managed to insure it got sealed? What’s in there that it can’t be made public? Surely the public has an interest in the outcome here, as it could mean prosecutors or police over reacted! In a case such as this, if he’s innocent especially why would he want it sealed? I’ll be interested if anyone challenges the seal. I follow the Volokh Conspiracy legal blog, and they’ve had some recent discussions of cases involving sealed court documents. In some cases, those seals have been overturned after being appealed to a higher court. In at least one of those cases, the appeals court explicitly stated that avoiding embarrassment for one or more parties was not a sufficiently good reason to seal a public court record. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/109 "2019-03-28T16:18:23Z")
I wonder there is such viciousness against Smollett. Nobody died, he didn’t injure anyone. Sure, he lied to police. The police wasted time on this case that would be better spent elsewhere. I get that. But that doesn’t explain the torrent of passion. Now Rahm Emmanuel wants to bill him for the policework. Yeah, right. That ALWAYS happens. Cops investigate something, file charges, the prosecutor drops the case but the accused has to somehow make the police whole. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/110 "2019-03-28T16:24:53Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your name isn’t Francis by chance? > > Smollett is still going to be prosecuted by the court of public opinion which could hurt him more than a first time conviction. I don’t get the “Francis” reference unless you’re referring to Stripes. Yes, I’m pissed. After the Mueller Report and the college admission scandal, this is the last straw for a week filled with different justice rendered for the rich and connected. And the court of public opinion is not justice. Especially when his costars gloat and Smollet “weighs” a lawsuit against the CPD. Comments of his costars - Yeah so it’s ET, but it’s the first I came across: > **[Jussie Smollett's Co-Stars React to Charges Being Dropped Against Him](https://www.etonline.com/jussie-smolletts-co-stars-react-to-all-charges-being-dropped-against-him-122217)** > > Taraji P. Henson was among the many stars who came out in support of the 36-year-old actor. ---
**Author:** ![Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgruntled_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/111 "2019-03-28T16:30:55Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > More typical community service. > [Boy George Court-Ordered Community Service Sweeping Streets for Department of Sanitation Stock Photo - Alamy](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-boy-george-court-ordered-community-service-sweeping-streets-for-department-32839259.html) SHRUG. In 2000 SC I did mine at Meals on Wheels and did a lot of good for them. No uniform like you show required. I kept volunteering after my mandatory service was over. I’m glad to see that in SC they are doing one thing uncommon and getting good results with it. Picking up papers wouldn’t have done anything for me or for the community. I was able to actually do something to help instead of burning time. Handled much better than what other states must be doing. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/112 "2019-03-28T16:36:41Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > And the court of public opinion is not justice. Especially when his costars gloat and Smollet “weighs” a lawsuit against the CPD. Well, I would propose to many conservatives out there that I will not ever support any show where Smollet or Trump will appear in the future and to not vote for them ever too, deal? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/113 "2019-03-28T16:37:02Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I wonder there is such viciousness against Smollett. Nobody died, he didn’t injure anyone. Sure, he lied to police. The police wasted time on this case that would be better spent elsewhere. I get that. But that doesn’t explain the torrent of passion. Now Rahm Emmanuel wants to bill him for the policework. Yeah, right. That ALWAYS happens. Cops investigate something, file charges, the prosecutor drops the case but the accused has to somehow make the police whole. He was trying to exacerbate racial animosity. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/114 "2019-03-28T16:38:10Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I wonder there is such viciousness against Smollett. Nobody died, he didn’t injure anyone. Sure, he lied to police. The police wasted time on this case that would be better spent elsewhere. I get that. But that doesn’t explain the torrent of passion. Now Rahm Emmanuel wants to bill him for the policework. Yeah, right. That ALWAYS happens. Cops investigate something, file charges, the prosecutor drops the case but the accused has to somehow make the police whole. Easy. He leveraged racial and political division not seen since the Civil War and inflamed it further, he made it easier for the right to claim “Fake News” forever more, he made it more difficult for real victims to be taken seriously, he wasted the time and money of local government that could have been spent helping those in need of food, housing or justice, he further proved that the rich and connected get different treatment, and he did it all because $2.25 million a season wasn’t enough. You don’t have to be racist or a Trump supporter to be outraged at that. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/115 "2019-03-28T16:42:51Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I wonder there is such viciousness against Smollett. Nobody died, he didn’t injure anyone. Sure, he lied to police. The police wasted time on this case that would be better spent elsewhere. I get that. But that doesn’t explain the torrent of passion. Now Rahm Emmanuel wants to bill him for the policework. Yeah, right. That ALWAYS happens. Cops investigate something, file charges, the prosecutor drops the case but the accused has to somehow make the police whole. If Donald Trump Jr (or any privileged white man) reported to police that 2 black men jumped him, beat him up, poured chemicals on him, and put a rope around his neck & played the victim on GMA…then it all turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by DTJ to further his agenda, would it bother you if he had all the charges dropped by the prosecutors office, because he had connections with powerful people? Or would it be no big deal because nobody died & he didn’t injure anyone? If police spent $100k on their investigation, are you saying that DTJ wouldn’t owe it to them to reimburse police for his hoax? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/116 "2019-03-28T16:44:58Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Well, I would propose to many conservatives out there that I will not ever support any show where Smollet or Trump will appear in the future and to not vote for them ever too, deal? 🙂 I don’t know if you’re implying that I’m a Trump supporter so I’ll just say in 2020 I’d be more than happy to plow through a few hundred Trump supporters in my car, on my way to the polls, to vote for Jussie Smollet for President. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/117 "2019-03-28T16:53:18Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > I don’t know if you’re implying that I’m a Trump supporter so I’ll just say in 2020 I’d be more than happy to plow through a few hundred Trump supporters in my car, on my way to the polls, to vote for Jussie Smollet for President. Past the edit window. Probably shouldn’t have said some of that. Mods feel free to edit the part out about plowing through certain people with my car. My apologies. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/118 "2019-03-28T17:10:27Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > I don’t know if you’re implying that I’m a Trump supporter … [snip] No, I pointed jokingly “out there”, to the conservatives and trashy TV viewers \* outside the thread and the forums. - Not about the previous TV work of Smollet, but referring here to the future gigs that he is now likely to get in the future. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/119 "2019-03-28T17:17:24Z")
Now Foxx is saying [he would have been convicted](https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-charges-dropps-kim-foxx/?platform=hootsuite) if they’d gone to trial. What a cluster. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/120 "2019-03-28T17:58:34Z")
**[Moderating]** **Kid Charlemagne** , since you apologized so promptly, I won’t make this a Warning. But do not threaten violence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562.md?page=7)