Award-winning filmmaker Roman Polanski has lost another attempt to end a four-decade-old rape case against him.
A Los Angeles judge ruling that Polanski, who's avoided extradition to the United States while living in his native France, cannot seek relief from the courts while still a fugitive.
Polanski's lawyers say he served enough time behind bars before he fled the country in 1977, a 42-day period as he awaited sentencing, after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.
They also say court rules were violated in emails they claim show an LA judge dictating to a colleague on how to handle the high-profile case.
Polanski has battled U.S. courts for decades.
He maintains that in that in his original case he was led to believe that a plea agreement with prosecutors was going to be overturned in favour of a much harsher punishment - up to 50 years in prison.
That fear driving his escape to Europe.
Polanski's films include the Pianist, Chinatown, and Rosemary's Baby.