# Steven Tyler case loses judge before trial

> A judge stepped aside from Julia Misley’s lawsuit against Steven Tyler days before trial, delaying a closely watched case.
- Title: Steven Tyler case loses judge before trial · Rolling Stone
- Summary: A judge stepped aside from Julia Misley’s lawsuit against Steven Tyler days before trial, delaying a closely watched case. The trial is off the calendar for…
- Keywords: music, courts, aerosmith, lawsuit, Steven, Tyler, case, loses, judge, trial, Rolling Stone
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/steven-tyler-sexual-assault-case-judge-recuses-before-trial-1235627301
- Author: Nancy Dillon
- Published: 2026-09-15T23:28:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: music, courts, aerosmith, lawsuit
## Judge steps aside
Los Angeles County Judge Patricia A. Young recused herself from Julia Misley’s sexual assault lawsuit against Steven Tyler, just two weeks before trial was set to start.
## Conflict was not waived
Young said she disclosed a possible conflict to both sides. When the parties could not agree to waive it, she said she had to leave the case.

> As a result of the parties not waiving, I will officially disqualify
## Trial date disappears
Young said the Sept. 28 trial date would automatically come off the calendar. A new judge and trial date had not yet been set.

> I have not ruled on those, and I will not rule on those.
## Misley’s core claim
Misley says Tyler abused her for years after they met in 1973, when she was 16 and he was 25. Tyler denies the claims and sought dismissal.
## Some claims survived
Tyler got major parts of the lawsuit dismissed. But Misley kept California claims alive under the state’s Child Victims Act, which reopened a window for older abuse claims.
## Memoir became evidence
Tyler’s 2011 memoir described taking custody papers from Misley’s parents and traveling with her. Misley’s side points to those passages as part of the case.

> so I wouldn’t get arrested if I took her out of state
## Rulings cut both ways
Before recusing herself, Young said Misley could present evidence that Tyler held himself out as her guardian. She also allowed jurors to hear evidence that Misley had consented.

> held himself out to be her guardian
## Key takeaway

The trial is off the calendar for now because the judge found a conflict tied to another removed judge and recused herself.