Crime | Roman Polanski Polanski Must Be Sentenced in LA: Judge Fugitive director can't learn fate in 1977 rape case in absentia By Marie Morris Posted Jan 22, 2010 6:20 PM CST Copied Chad Hummel, Brad Dalton, and Douglas Dalton, attorneys for Roman Polanski, confer during a status conference at the Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Roman Polanski can't remain under house arrest in Switzerland while he's sentenced in Los Angeles for statutory rape committed in 1977—he must appear in court in the US, a superior court judge ruled today. "I have made it clear he needs to surrender," said Peter Espinoza. "In defense of the integrity of the justice system, he needs to surrender." The fugitive director's legal team plans to appeal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Report an error