Why does every article state he had 48 days to serve? The truth is that Polanski was never sentenced. He fled before the sentencing hearing. According to Polanski himself in his plea hearing, the felony he was pleading guilty to carried a maximum sentence of 20 years in the state pen, the sentence was completely up to the judge, and was not decided. He was sent to a mental facility for up to 90 days to determine if he was a Mentally Defective Sex Offender, but that was NOT part of any sentence, it was automatic due to the fact the victim of this felony rape was under the age of 14.

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Gunson: What is the maximum sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse?

Defendant: It's one to fifteen--twenty years in State Prison

Gunson:... Mr. Polanski, who do you believe will decide what your sentence will be in this matter?

Defendant: The Judge.

Gunson: Do you understand that at this time, the court has not made any decision as to what sentence you will receive.

Defendant: (No response)

Gunson: Do you understand that the Judge has not made any decision?

Defendant: Yes

Gunson: Further, do you realize that this Court will not make any decision regarding probation and sentence until after it has read and considered the report and recommendation that will be prepared and submitted to it by the Probation Department? And after it has heard the argument of your attorney and the argument of the prosecutor; --

Defendant: Yes

Gunson: -- do you understand that? Mr Polanski, do you understand that at the time of probation and sentencing, the prosecutor may argue that you should be sentenced to State Prison or be incarcerated in the County Jail?

Defendant: Yes

let him do his 20 years.

While it was not part of his sentencing, the 90 day evaluation was supposed to be his punishment. When Polanski was let out after 42 days, there was a media uproar and presumably the judge was tempted to give him a harsher sentence in order to save face. This is all covered in the documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.

I really could care less if Polanski does 20 years or 1 day, but I wonder why you care so much?

I believe he has to return so the courts can decide his fate but again, I'll be OK with whatever they decide. But you appear to have strong feelings that he get a certain punishment. Why?

...but I do think that raping a 13-year-old girl, then fleeing justice, are a pair of pretty damn serious offenses. And I resent that so many people have covered for or gone to bat for this creep.

It won't affect me personally, but I'd like to see justice done here. I can't see why anyone wouldn't.