Legally, we have to forget those other charges, SharonA, because they were dismissed many years ago. And for very practical reasons, we all need to let go of the "moral outrage" that is so easy to vent in situations like this.

For one thing, contrary to the "lock em up and throw away the key" sentiments expressed by at least those of us who are Americans, California laws are remarkable spare--

California§ 261. 5(b)-(d) Any person 21 years of age or older who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is under 16 years of age is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony and may be punished with up to one year in a county jail or by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years.

For another thing, since he was never actually sentenced, it is possible for Mr. Polanski to retract his single guilty plea, which entitles him to a new trial, and may also require that new charges be drawn up, which may be legally difficult, if not impossible.