Roman Polanski
Considering the long history of embarrassments and failures this office has in its past, it seems this is a case that has taken on a prideful significance long since abandoned of any claim for justice. Mr. Polanski has lived since his flight in 1978 in exile from the United States, and has long-since settled with the victim. Indeed, the victim has taken a position in Mr. Polanski’s defense and publicly asked that the charges be dropped.
I’ll make no claims to total impartiality. I’m a huge fan of Mr. Polanski’s work. In my opinion he is one of the most important film directors of the post-WWII era still living. But I will say, I don’t believe Roman Polanski’s stature as a director is what makes this case such a joke. The efforts of Los Angeles County to save face would be just as ridiculous if the target of their warrant were a person of little notoriety. Perhaps the taxpayers of California would like to know the cost of extradition, trial and incarceration before they let the face-seeking District Attorney proceed.
And while they are at it, they could try to convince the rest of us that L.A.’s streets are safe and they have no more pressing matters to address than a 30+ year old case against a high profile eccentric.
I ask you to consider sending the District Attorney in Los Angeles your thoughts. They can be reached by email at webmail@da.lacounty.gov.
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Polanski made a mistake, honest or otherwise, many years ago. As the victim of the crime wishes for the case to be closed, I would think the LA DA’s office would abide by her wishes. Sometimes you just have to let it go.
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Before you think this is an entirely pointless case of misused government time I would recommend you read this article:
http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/09/28/polanski_arrest/
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I hope my post doesn’t read in any way that I believe it is moral to have sex with children. I most certainly do not.
My criticism is of the failure of the legal system to resolve this matter in 1977. I believe there was an effort on the part of Judge Rittenband and individuals from the Prosecution (specifically David Wells) to entice Polanski to enter a guilty plea, but not to honor the State’s side of the agreement. If you take the time to review the case, you will find that this was the issue that caused Polanski to flea. Any way you look at it, it is clear that there was a deliberate effort by Judge Rittenband and the members of the District Attorney’s office to secure a guilty plea from Polanski without trial by offering him a plea with minimal jail time, and Polanski fled when he realized they were going to make him go to prison anyway.
So, I do indeed think sex with minors is wrong, just like I believe murder and larceny, and other illegal acts are immoral. I also believe that the State has an obligation to maintain the standards of justice. In a trail setting this is usually clear: the burden of proof, reasonable doubt, and all that. In a plea agreement, it is not so easy, but equally important that the State act fairly and honestly in regards to agreements. I believe that the legal system in Los Angeles County was corrupt and negligent in this case in 1977. That is why justice has never been served.
Finally, regardless of my opinions, it is certain that one of two things will now happen. Either Polanski will successfully fight extradition and remain in exile, or he will return to the US. If he returns to the U.S. it is clear that there will be a long, public review of the case (very likely produced by Ryan Seacrest for E! Television) in which the media-spectacle of justice will play out. Does anyone really think that the immorality of Mr. Polanski’s 32 year-old crime will matter then? I don’t. Put the effort into protecting kids, preventing these kinds of crimes in the first place, and doing a better job of prosecuting offenders.
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