Hardly a year goes by when we don't hear a surprising new update concerning Bill Cosby. In 2018, Cosby was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault, and in 2021, the PA supreme court vacated the conviction. He was released from prison, and he's planning to hit the road. Now, Cosby is back in the news for his upcoming comedy tour. Talk about a roller coaster.

A few years ago, the last thing Bill Cosby and his team were concerned with was planning a new comedy tour. They were instead focused on defending the famed comedian and appealing his conviction. While every case is different, Cosby's story demonstrates how life can move forward after accusations of sexual assault.

Life After Sex Crimes Charges

When you're accused of or convicted of sexual assault crimes, you'll have to work to overcome two huge obstacles. The first hurdle, of course, is the legal impact of the criminal conviction. When you're convicted of a crime, especially a felony, you may have to register as a sex offender. You'll also lose certain rights and privileges as a citizen of PA. Some of those privileges include:

• Opportunities for housing
• Opportunities for higher education
• Opportunities to have professional licenses
• The right to own guns

Those who are charged or convicted of assault crimes related to sexual violence must also overcome a second huge hurdle: reputational damage. Sometimes, having your charges dropped or your conviction vacated isn't enough in the court of public opinion. As noted in an NPR article, news of Cosby's upcoming tour has been met with ire. The tour announcement has stirred the pot, and now Cosby faces new allegations under New York's Adult Survivors Act.

Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault

Generally, criminal accusations of sexual assault cannot be brought if more than two years have passed since the occurrence of the assault. In the wake of the Me Too movement, there have been legislative changes that allow accusers from long ago to come forward. In NY, for example, the Adult Survivors Act opens a temporary window for old accusations. While the Adult Survivors Act doesn't apply in Pennsylvania, there's always a question of if or when PA may adopt a similar law.

Retain a Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Defense Attorney

If you're facing accusations of sexual misconduct that happened recently or long ago, you need to talk to a defense attorney in PA right away. An experienced Defense Attorney on our Criminal Law Team will guide you through this frustrating time and help you put your best foot forward. To learn how LLF Law Firm and our Dedicated Criminal Defense Team can help you, call 888-535-3686 today, or contact us online.