Judge Allows Some of Steven Tyler Accuser's Claims to Proceed

Lawsuit against Aerosmith singer will move forward on California-based allegations, but out-of-state claims dismissed

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A judge has ruled that some of the child sexual abuse claims brought against Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler by his accuser, Julia Misley, can proceed to trial. The judge said Misley's California-based allegations will survive, but her separate claims tied to alleged abuse in Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts will be dismissed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal issues surrounding historical child sexual abuse claims, particularly when the alleged abuse occurred across multiple states with differing age of consent laws. The judge's decision underscores the importance of establishing jurisdiction and the applicable statutes of limitation in these types of cases.

The details

The judge said Misley's claim that Tyler sexually abused her at a hotel in California was strong enough to proceed, but the statutes of limitation had run out in the other states where Misley alleged abuse occurred. Misley had argued that Tyler should be subject to the laws against child sex abuse in each state he traveled to with her, but the judge disagreed, ruling that only the California-based claims could move forward.

  • In 1973, when Misley was a high school sophomore and Tyler was 25, the alleged abuse began.
  • In 2022, Misley filed her lawsuit against Tyler, taking advantage of California's Child Victims Act which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations.
  • On January 28, 2026, the judge issued her ruling, allowing the California-based claims to proceed to trial while dismissing the out-of-state allegations.

The players

Julia Misley

Misley is the accuser who filed the child sexual abuse lawsuit against Steven Tyler. She claims the abuse began when she was a high school sophomore in 1973.

Steven Tyler

Tyler is the Aerosmith singer who is being sued by Misley for alleged child sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s.

Judge Patricia A. Young

The Los Angeles County judge presiding over the case who ruled that Misley's California-based claims can proceed to trial, but dismissed the out-of-state allegations.

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What they’re saying

“I have clearly signalled how I intend [to rule]. I'm not moving the trial.”

— Judge Patricia A. Young, Presiding Judge (Rolling Stone)

“I was treated like a sex toy. I was treated like a pet, like a thing, and it was humiliating.”

— Julia Misley (Rolling Stone)

“I went and slept at her parents' house for a couple of nights, and her parents fell in love with me, signed papers over for me to have custody, so I wouldn't get arrested if I took her out of state.”

— Steven Tyler (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The judge has promised a written decision in the coming days that will provide more details on the narrowed scope of the lawsuit. A trial date has not yet been set.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges in prosecuting historical child sexual abuse claims, particularly when the alleged abuse occurred across multiple jurisdictions. The judge's decision to allow only the California-based claims to proceed underscores the importance of establishing the appropriate legal framework and statutes of limitation in these types of cases.