What Polanski said and when he said it

For the apologists who keep claiming that Polanski did nothing criminal, never admitted it, was cheated regarding his sentence, blah blah blah, read the transcript of his plea hearing at The Smoking Gun.

Some key extracts.

MR. GUNSON: Mr. Polanski, to Count III of indictment number A-334139, which charges you with the commission of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse on March 10th, 1977, a felony, how do you plead?
DEFENDANT: Guilty
MR. GUNSON: Your Honor does the Court make a finding that
Mr. Polanski knew and understood his constitutional rights?
THE COURT: Yes, the Court's made such a finding.
MR. GUNSON: And that he knowingly and intelligently waived those rights?
THE COURT: I have made such a finding.
MR. GUNSON: And does the Court also make a finding that
Mr. Polanski knows of the consequences of his plea?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: Yes.

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MR. GUNSON: Mr. Polanski, before you can plead quilty, you must understand the possible direct consequences of your plea. Do you understand you are pleading to a felony?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.
MR. GUNSON: What is the maximum sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse?
THE DEFENDANT: It's one to fifteen -- twenty years in
State Prison.

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MR. GUNSON: Who do you think will decide whether or not you will get probation?
DEFENDANT: The Judge.
MR GUNSON: Who do you think will determine whether the sentence will be a felony or a misdemeanor?
THE DEFENDANT: The Judge.
MR. GUNSON: Do you understand that at this time the Court has not made any decision as to what sentence you will receive?
THE DEFENDANT: (No response.)
MR. GUNSON: Do you understand that the Judge has not made any decision?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.