Judge to Polanski: Get Back Here and Then We'll Talk

Ignoring even a plea from Polanski's now-46-year-old victim to grant the fugitive director his freedom, a Los Angeles judge today rejected a petition by the Oscar winner's lawyers to have him sentenced in abstentia for the three-decades-old crime.

Judge Peter Espinoza issued his ruling after hearing arguments from both Team Polanski and L.A. prosecutors, who insist that Polanski return to California from his chateau in Switzerland, where he's currently under house arrest, to answer the charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

The ruling is bound to be appealed by Polanski's lawyers, who argue the Chinatown director wasn't given a fair shake by the original judge or prosecutors after he entered a guilty plea. They say he should be sentenced to time-served and allowed to stay in Europe without fear of extradition.

The free Polanski stance is supported by Samantha Geimer, who was 13 when the director plied her with Quaaludes and champagne before having sex with her at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away.

Polanski, 76, is likely to still be under house arrest when his next film, The Ghost Writer, is released on Feb. 19.

/E! Online/