(CN) - A Florida judge rejected Wesley Snipes' bid to postpone the start of his three-year sentence for tax evasion until after the holidays.
U.S. Marshals had ordered the "Blade" actor, who is out on bail, to surrender for his sentence on Dec. 9.
In an emergency motion to stay self-surrender, Snipes said he wanted to spend the holidays with his four children, who range in age from 4 to 9 years old.
Snipes suggested Jan. 6 as an alternative surrender date.
But Senior Judge William Terrell Hodges denied the request, noting that Snipes' failed appeal had already delayed his incarceration by 2 1/2 years.
"The natural and inevitable consequence of any substantial sentence of imprisonment is to separate a defendant from his family during holidays and at all other times of significance to a particular family unit - birthdays, weddings and the like," Hodges wrote. "The sooner he begins his sentence, the sooner it will end."
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