Rick And Morty co-creator facing domestic violence charges

Rick And Morty co-creator Justin Roiland has been charged with felony domestic violence in Orange County, California. Roiland is also known for his work on Squanch Games’ High On Life.

As reported by NBC News, the felony domestic violence charge is in connection with an incident that took place in 2020 as evidenced by a criminal complaint filed in May of that year by the Orange County district attorney. Roiland appeared in court on Thursday 12 January, 2023, for a pre-trial hearing.

Orange County Superior Court records show that Roiland pleaded not guilty to both charges he was faced with in October 2020 - one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. The victim, who has decided to remain anonymous, made the complaint on or about 19 January, 2020.

Roiland was charged in May 2020, and later arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020. The arraignment followed in October of that same year. A protective order was filed against Roiland stating he was not to harass, threaten or surveil the person named within the protective order. Roiland must stay 100-feet away from this person and was also ordered to turn in any firearms he owned. The order reportedly lasts until October 2023.

During a hearing held this week, it was revealed that a plea offer has been made available to Roiland but details of this are not available. Roiland’s attorney T. Edward Welbourn wrote (Via NBC News), “We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.” Another hearing has been scheduled for 27 April.