The statute of limitations doesn't apply to someone who's already convicted of crime, just to the potential to initiate prosecution for a certain crime. Or at least that's how I understand it.
Polanski was actually convicted of the rape back then, and only fled when he heard that the judge would give him an exceptionally severe sentence.
The statute of limitations in California for crimes that aren't punishable by death is at most 6 years (if it would be rape, for unlawful sex with a minor it's 3 years (maximum possible prison time is less than 8 years)), possibly extended by 3 years if the perpetrator is out of state. In short, there won't be a trial, however wrong what he did was.
Polanski was actually convicted of the rape back then, and only fled when he heard that the judge would give him an exceptionally severe sentence.
By Jason Rhodes
ZURICH, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Film-maker Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a 31-year-old U.S. arrest warrant, the Zurich Film Festival said in a statement on Sunday.
Polanski's arrest on Saturday evening was in connection with an arrest warrant issued by U.S. authorities in 1978 for having unlawful sex with an underage girl, the statement said.
The film-maker had been due to recieve the prize for his life's work at the Film Festival on Sunday evening, kick-starting a retrospective of his film career.
"Roman Polanski, one of the greatest film directors of our time, would have received an award for his life's achievement at the Zurich Film Festival," the statement said.
"However, he was detained by the police upon his entry at Zurich Airport. His detention is linked to the demand by U.S.-authorities to a warrant for his arrest in 1978."
"The festival directors have received this news with great consternation and shock," the festival said, adding that the tribute to Polanski would go ahead so that festival-goers could express their solidarity and admiration for the film-maker.
He was arrested in the late 1970s and charged with giving drugs and alcohol to a 13-year-old girl and having unlawful sex with her at a photo session at Jack Nicholson's Hollywood home.
Polanski, who maintained the girl was sexually experienced and had consented, spent 42 days in prison undergoing psychiatric tests but fled the country before being sentenced. His U.S. visa has since been withdrawn.
Polanski's agent in Los Angeles was not immediately available for comment. For a factbox on Polanski click
ZURICH, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Film-maker Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a 31-year-old U.S. arrest warrant, the Zurich Film Festival said in a statement on Sunday.
Polanski's arrest on Saturday evening was in connection with an arrest warrant issued by U.S. authorities in 1978 for having unlawful sex with an underage girl, the statement said.
The film-maker had been due to recieve the prize for his life's work at the Film Festival on Sunday evening, kick-starting a retrospective of his film career.
"Roman Polanski, one of the greatest film directors of our time, would have received an award for his life's achievement at the Zurich Film Festival," the statement said.
"However, he was detained by the police upon his entry at Zurich Airport. His detention is linked to the demand by U.S.-authorities to a warrant for his arrest in 1978."
"The festival directors have received this news with great consternation and shock," the festival said, adding that the tribute to Polanski would go ahead so that festival-goers could express their solidarity and admiration for the film-maker.
He was arrested in the late 1970s and charged with giving drugs and alcohol to a 13-year-old girl and having unlawful sex with her at a photo session at Jack Nicholson's Hollywood home.
Polanski, who maintained the girl was sexually experienced and had consented, spent 42 days in prison undergoing psychiatric tests but fled the country before being sentenced. His U.S. visa has since been withdrawn.
Polanski's agent in Los Angeles was not immediately available for comment. For a factbox on Polanski click
The statute of limitations in California for crimes that aren't punishable by death is at most 6 years (if it would be rape, for unlawful sex with a minor it's 3 years (maximum possible prison time is less than 8 years)), possibly extended by 3 years if the perpetrator is out of state. In short, there won't be a trial, however wrong what he did was.
Roman Polanski arrested in Switzerland on U.S. Arrest Warrant
- 27/09/2009 12:47:16 PM
849 Views
Very good
- 27/09/2009 04:37:40 PM
414 Views
That point sort of struck me too...
- 27/09/2009 04:50:54 PM
371 Views
This is pointless
- 27/09/2009 05:30:01 PM
413 Views
true, but
- 27/09/2009 08:16:28 PM
432 Views
Doesn't work that way
- 27/09/2009 09:17:27 PM
377 Views
I must have missed the part of him already being convicted. My bad. *NM*
- 27/09/2009 09:23:01 PM
166 Views
Was I the only one who was shocked when he got a standing ovation at the Oscars awhile back?
- 28/09/2009 12:59:23 AM
336 Views
He gets a somewhat skewed sympathy vote from a lot of people because of the murder of his wife
- 28/09/2009 01:58:16 AM
506 Views
It's been 30 years. He does not seem to have done it again
- 28/09/2009 01:48:26 PM
381 Views
They don't have to try him he plead guility
- 28/09/2009 02:43:12 PM
399 Views
Meh. It's been 30 years.
- 28/09/2009 04:03:51 PM
413 Views
Did she say she forgave him?
- 29/09/2009 01:15:46 AM
392 Views
Don't you think laws have to stand whether the perp is forgiven by the victim or not?
- 29/09/2009 02:58:18 AM
386 Views
How long do you have to stay away before you're absolved of murder?
- 29/09/2009 02:56:58 AM
361 Views
Murder and sex with a minor are not the same thing.
- 29/09/2009 02:54:10 PM
355 Views
They are, in my opinion, the two worst crimes a human being can commit.
- 01/10/2009 03:28:45 AM
362 Views
I'm not saying that sex with 13 year olds is right or anything, but...
- 28/09/2009 10:49:29 PM
506 Views
It used to be legal to have children under 9 working in the pits for 16 hours a day, but...
- 29/09/2009 01:20:40 AM
361 Views
First off, what the hell?
- 29/09/2009 06:33:37 AM
365 Views
I was confused by that, too. It's like, I'm not saying, I'm just saying.
- 29/09/2009 08:09:14 AM
401 Views
can't consent when drunk?
- 01/10/2009 09:24:39 PM
334 Views
