Jussie Smollett strutted into his hearing this afternoon where a judge ruled that cameras will be allowed for his arraignment this week, but it's up to the case's appointed presiding judge to determine the use of cameras for all future proceedings.

The Empire actor arrived at Cook County criminal court around 11am CST wearing reflective sunglasses and offering a slight smile.

He was not required to be there, but reportedly chose to attend the hearing to prove he intends to be an active participant in his defense. He entered with Tina Glandian, a lawyer from his attorney Mark Geragos' firm.

Judge LeRoy Martin Jr allowed for one still camera and one video camera to be present at 36-year-old Smollett's next court appearance, which will be his arraignment on Thursday.

But from there an appointed judge who will preside over the case can ultimately decide over the use of cameras for all future proceedings.

A grand jury indicted Smollett last week on 16 felony counts accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two masked men in downtown Chicago.

Jussie Smollett arrived Cook County criminal court on Tuesday at 11am CST wearing reflective sunglasses and a gray coat

With his head held high, the 36-year-old Empire actor entered court where a judge decided to allow for cameras at his next hearing, which will be his arraignment on Thursday

Surrounded by his team, some also sporting sunglasses, he entered the Leighton Criminal Courthouse where a judge allowed for cameras at his arraignment, but from there the judge who is assigned to preside over the case can ultimately decide over the use of cameras

Police allege that Smollett, who is black and gay, staged the January 29 attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career.

During Tuesday's hearing Smollett's attorney Glandian was in favor of having cameras in the courtroom saying the defense wanted the public to see what happens in court.

'In light of the substantial amount of misinformation in the case, the defense actually welcomes cameras in the courtroom,' she said as per the Chicago Tribune.

'We welcome cameras in the courtroom so that the public and the media can see the actual evidence — and what we believe is actually going to be the lack of evidence — against Mr. Smollett and we look forward to complete transparency and the truth coming out,' she added.

It was the first time Smollett was in court since his arrest.

The actor requested permission to leave the state this month to visit California, where his attorney Mark Geragos is based.

Smollett is free on $100,000 bond and has another hearing scheduled for Thursday where he'll be arraigned for those 16 felony counts and where a judge will be assigned over his case.

That judge has the power to potentially reverse or modify any decision made Tuesday about cameras in the courtroom.

He is facing a maximum sentence of 48 years behind bars and fines of up to $400,000.

Pictured arriving to court on Tuesday afternoon. He'll return to court on Thursday for his arraignment

Moving forward: Smollett's attorneys have called the charges 'prosecutorial overkill' and the actor has vehemently maintained his innocence

A grand jury indicted 36-year-old Smollett last week on 16 felony counts accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two masked men in downtown Chicago

Smollett's attorneys have called the charges 'prosecutorial overkill' and the actor has vehemently maintained his innocence.

He is expected to cut a plea deal with authorities, according to experts cited by ABC.

Cops initially investigated the case as a hate crime but piecing together surveillance camera footage it led them to Nigerian bodybuilding brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, aged 25 and 27, who were extras on Empire and worked with the actor fitness coaches.

During 47 hours of questioning the pair told police Smollett planned out the fake attack himself and paid them $3,500 to carry it out.

The brothers' lawyer Gloria Schmidt said they were 'taken advantage of' by the star in the hoax attack.

Leaving court: Jussie center pictured leaving the Leighton Criminal Court building after a judge ruled cameras will be allowed at his arraignment Thursday

At his arraignment, the judge who is assigned the case will then have the power to determine the future use of cameras for all proceedings

His lawyer was in favor of cameras saying 'In light of the misinformation in the case, the defense actually welcomes cameras in the courtroom'. Smollett pictured above leaving the hearing on Tuesday

Their lawyer maintained that the check written out to the brothers was for training and not explicitly for the attack.

'It would be such an easy narrative to see it that way but it's a very complicated relationship... If you're friends and I'm saying, "Hey, I'm going to pay you for training but I'm also asking you to do me a favor" and the favor was to stage the attack,' Schmidt said on Good Morning America.

About three weeks after the brothers were arrested, prosecutors charged Smollett with making a false report.

Since then he's been written off of the final episodes of the show that skyrocketed him to fame.

The fifth season of Empire premieres on Wednesday and Smollett was notably absent from all of the show's promotional photos for the next chapter.

A lawyer for Abel and Ola Osundairo (left) say the brothers were 'taken advantage of' by Jussie Smollett who allegedly hired them to carry out a staged hate crime on him on January 29

The brothers were filmed buying supplies to use in the attack in a store in Chicago the day before it happened. They say they used a $100 bill Smollett gave them