AP is reporting that Roman Polanski's lawyers have filed a request to dismiss a 30 year old charge against him for having sex with an underage girl, because of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.

The motion, filed yesterday (Tuesday) alleges that a documentary about the filmmaker released this year revealed "a pattern of misconduct and improper communications" between the LA County district attorney's office and the judge in Polanski's case.

Initially indicted on six felony counts, Polanski faced life imprisonment, which he avoided by pleading guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The other counts were then dismissed.

The 75-year-old film director hasn't returned to the States since the charge was made back in 1978, since which time he has been living in France.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 21st, 2009, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

AP