Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a 31-year-old statutory rape charge earlier this year, and many Hollywood stars immediately rallied to his defense. Celebrity trials aren’t new to us, but the particular ugliness of rape and child abuse still seem to get glossed over when there’s a big star standing accused. But do we all learn something from public trials and the public discussions that come in their wake? As Polanski remains under house arrest, we ask Trish Kinney, author of Silver Platter Girl, Michael Musto, Village Voice columnist and author of Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back, and Dominic Lawson, columnist for The Independent, if any good can come of a trial, and why stars seem to be given a free pass on horrific behavior.