Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I just have a question about Roman Polanski. I wonder about people acting in his films. Are they aiding and abetting a fugitive??

Since he is still technically wanted for a crime in the US he is an outlaw in the US. So if other actors, producers, film companies are helping him earn a living, could they ever be prosecuted? If not, why not?


Asked on 6/21/12, 5:24 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Mr. Polanski became a fugitive long ago when he fled the United States after pleading guilty to a serious crime but before being sentenced. Your question presumes that essentially everything he has done professionally since then has been part of the crime, but that is not how it works. He is not making his crime worse by continuing to direct films. Since his directing is neither a new crime nor part of a prior crime, working with him is not aiding and abetting a crime.

Further, because Mr. Polanski works only in other countries, most of the work others do for him also takes place overseas. It is not clear that the United States would have jurisdiction over acts taken in other countries even if they would have been illegal here.

Read more
Answered on 6/21/12, 11:23 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in California