By Criminal Defense Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman of the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman.
It may seem like much longer to some, but October 2017 was when the first sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein came out.
From then until the summer of 2018, more and more women have stepped forward. In total, over 70 have stated that Weinstein sexually assaulted them in some way. Until July 2018, only three of the allegations turned into formal charges. And in the beginning of July 2018, more charges were laid against Weinstein.
If these new charges turn into convictions, Weinstein could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Weinstein was already facing three charges of sexual assault in July of 2018 when three more charges were laid. The new charges come from a woman Harvey allegedly had contact with in 2006. After her testimony Weinstein was charged with two counts of predatory assault, and one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree. The predatory assault charges each carry a ten year sentence alone.
Weinstein is being accused of various sexual assault crimes against the women that have currently led to charges being laid. However, there is little corroborating evidence in any of the allegations. And because many of these cases go back later than a decade, there likely never will be any evidence other than the testimonies of the accusers. Weinstein has denied all allegations since the first accusations came out, and was released from jail after posting $1 million in bail.
“These accusations are incredibly serious,” says sex crimes attorney Jeffrey Lichtman of the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman. “While those who accuse others of these crimes are to be respected and treated fairly under the law at all times, the same applies to the accused until proven guilty. This new movement shows just how easy it is to destroy another person and their career with one statement.”
In an arraignment on July 9, 2018, Weinstein pleaded not guilty to the three new counts brought against him. He had already pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one of first-degree criminal sexual acts. He continues to be out on bail under the same conditions.