|
The wishes of the victim are not relevant in this case.
First, Polanski committed a crime against the judicial system by fleeing, an offense that must be corrected regardless of the underlying case, and for which Polanski must pay some price. Otherwise, bail means nothing, especially to the rich.
Second, the state assumes the role of complainant in criminal cases at trial for a reason. As part of the social contract, we agree to forgo personal and/or clan blood atonement for crimes against us in place of a rational adjudication of crimes, which is not the universal condition, as we discovered somewhat belatedly in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we want to support the rule of law rather than vendettas, then we need to pursue Polanski and everyone else who runs out on sentencing after a conviction.
__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
|