The legal machinations over Roman Polanski continue with the news that while he recently asked a US court to sentence him in absentia on the charges of having sex with a minor that he fled from in the late 70s, that’s been refused. It’s not an unexpected development, as US law says people who are on the run can’t seek relief from the courts unless they’re personally present.
Polanski wanted to be sentenced as he thinks there’s a good chance whatever sentence he gets would mean he wouldn ‘t have to serve any more jail time (he spent time some behind bars in the late 70s, and more after he was arrested in Switzerland on a US extradition warrant). It would ensure that even if his fight against extradition fails – which he probably will – he wouldn’t have to spend time in jail when he’s sent back to the US, waiting for a trial date.
However it now seems almost certain he will end up in a US jail for a time, although his lawyers have planned an appeal. Much of the legal argument over the case rests on alleged misconduct by the judge in the first case, and while this could end up with the charges being dismissed, or Polanski being sentence to time served, it seems he’ll have to be in America to find out. It’s particularly important for Polanski’s lawyers, as the US extradition treaty with the US only covers those who face at least six months in jail in America. Of course if Polanski can be sentenced in absentia and it’s less than six months, he may not have to return to the US at all.
Incidentally, the LA Times reports that despite his legal problems, Polanski is planning his next movie, an adaptation of the Tony winning play, God Of Carnage. The play starts as two sets of parent arguing over an accident one of their children had in a playground, but spread out to cover all manner of hot-button topics and taboos. The news came via his wife, Emmanuelle Seigner.