The Steven Tyler sexual lawsuit now has a new trial date. On Monday, November 9, 2026, a Los Angeles judge set a civil jury trial for May 3, 2027. The case is brought by Julia Misley, who alleges the Aerosmith frontman sexually abused her in the 1970s, when she was a teenager. Tyler denies wrongdoing and says the relationship was consensual. Nothing has been proven in court.
The new judge has also signaled he may revisit earlier rulings that sharply narrowed the case, so the lawsuit’s final shape is still unsettled.
What the Steven Tyler Lawsuit Alleges
Misley, formerly known as Julia Holcomb, filed the suit on December 27, 2022, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. She says she met Tyler in November 1973, shortly after her 16th birthday, when she was invited backstage at an Aerosmith concert in Portland, Oregon. Tyler was 25.
According to the complaint, Tyler used his fame and influence to groom and sexually assault her over roughly three years. She also alleges he persuaded her mother to give him legal guardianship, that she became pregnant, and that she was pressured into an abortion. Misley has said she left Tyler in 1977, later married and started a family.
The suit was filed under the California Child Victims Act, a 2019 law that temporarily reopened the filing window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose claims had expired. It was filed shortly before that window closed.
Tyler’s Response and Legal Defense
Tyler, now 78, has consistently denied the allegations. He maintains that the relationship was a mutual, loving one. His legal team has argued that most of the relationship took place in Massachusetts, where the age of consent in that era was 16, and that Massachusetts law should govern.
His early court filings also raised a defense based on immunity as a caretaker or guardian. Court filings reported by Rolling Stone say he later abandoned it and now testifies that he does not recall the guardianship.
Tyler’s memoir includes a line saying he was so in love that he “almost took a teen bride.” That line has been widely cited in coverage of the case.
How Earlier Rulings Narrowed the Case
The case has changed shape several times:
- January 2026: A judge let the California-based claims proceed to trial. Claims tied to alleged conduct in Oregon, Washington and Massachusetts were thrown out.
- April 2026: Judge Patricia Young ruled that most of Misley’s claims, tied to the Massachusetts years, were barred by the statute of limitations. Only claims connected to an alleged encounter during a trip to California remained. Tyler’s attorney, David Long-Daniels, called the ruling “a massive win.”
- California’s age of consent: Judge Young wrote that Misley was “legally incapable of consenting” under California’s age-of-consent law at the time, which allowed that claim to continue. That was a legal finding, not a finding that the allegations are true.
- Evidence ruling: Young also ruled that jurors could hear evidence about whether Misley “consented,” which counted as a win for Tyler’s side.
Misley’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, said the ruling reflected “years of resilience and courage” and that it is time for a jury to decide.
Why the Trial Date Keeps Changing
The case has been delayed repeatedly. A trial that had been pushed to August 31, 2026 was disrupted in the fall when Judge Young recused herself about two weeks before it was due to start. Court coverage says the reason involved her disclosing elements of the case to another judge.
The case has now had a string of judges, and outlets differ on whether the new one is the fifth or sixth. Judge Lawrence Riff now presides. He said he intends to see the case through, adding that “there will be more hearings, to say the least,” but that he does not expect them to unduly prolong pretrial proceedings.
What Happens Next in the Tyler Case
Judge Riff has said he will reconsider Young’s earlier rulings, including the evidence rulings. Reports indicate the parties were given until November 20 to identify which earlier orders they consider valid or void. A hearing on the dismissed out-of-state claims is expected around January 2027.
Those decisions matter because Misley’s lawyers have said they will challenge the ruling that removed the out-of-state claims. If the judge reopens them, a much larger portion of her allegations could reach a jury. If the earlier ruling stands, trial will remain focused on a narrow set of claims.
What This Means for Readers
This is a civil case, not a criminal prosecution. Tyler is not facing criminal charges in this matter. The jury’s role would be to decide liability and, if applicable, damages. A civil verdict is not a criminal conviction, and a pretrial ruling is not a finding of guilt or innocence.
Three points are worth keeping in mind as coverage continues:
- Allegations are not findings. Everything Misley alleges remains unproven, and Tyler’s denials are part of the record.
- Dates can move. This case has been delayed more than once, and the May 2027 date could change.
- Scope may change. The decisions Judge Riff makes in the coming months will determine how much of the lawsuit goes to trial.
Is Liv Tyler Part of the Lawsuit?
No. Older remarks Tyler made about his daughter, actress Liv Tyler, have recently resurfaced on social media. Misley’s lawsuit does not allege any misconduct involving Liv Tyler.
Where to Follow Reliable Updates
Court schedules and rulings in this case have shifted often, so check updates from established outlets. Rolling Stone and Billboard have followed the case closely, and NPR covered the original filing. Records for case 22TRCV01604 are held by the Los Angeles Superior Court.
For the original filing, see NPR’s report on the 2022 lawsuit. For the ruling that let the California claims proceed, see Rolling Stone’s coverage. For the April narrowing of the case, see The Washington Times. The new trial date is covered by Billboard.
The next key moments are the late-November deadline on earlier rulings and the expected January hearing, which should show how big the May 2027 trial will be.
Do you think the trial will go ahead in May 2027? Share your thoughts in the comments and check back for the latest court updates.