Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kraut: Roman Polanski's Extradition

Los Angeles Criminal defense lawyer Michael Kraut provides commentary.

Roman Polanski is in prison in Switzerland as Swiss authorities wait for a formal extradition request from U.S. authorities who have until late November to file that request.

Many predict that time is on his side... 32 years to be exact. That period seems to work in his favor given the inconsistent efforts by law enforcement to bring him to justice.

However, there is a reasonable chance he will be brought to Los Angeles and immediately sentenced for his 1977 conviction of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and charged with flight from justice.

The victim says she wants the charges dismissed. Samantha Geimer has not changed her original testimony in any way. Polanski agreed in court that what she said was true. She simply wants this ordeal to be over.

Earlier this year she filed a formal appeal to the Los Michael KrautAngeles prosecutor's office asking that the charges be dropped. Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, Michael Kraut says "her request may not have any bearing on this case."

Had Polanski been found guilty of all charges in 1977,  a life sentence was a real possibility.

At what was described as a "photo shoot" at the home of Jack Nicholson, who was away at the time, Polanski gave the 13 year old girl champagne and Quaaludes.   Over 4 hours, while she repeatedly pleaded with Polanski to let her go, he raped and sodomized her. Polanski has never challenged that in court.

(Sources: CBC News)

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kraut: "Polanski Extradition"