Justin Roiland’s felony domestic violence charges, summarized

Justin Roiland is the co-creator of animated comedy and its star. Rick and MortyThe game and its rulesThe Highest in LifeThe incident occurred in January 2020 and the defendant is now facing felony domestic abuse charges. NBC News reported the arrest and charges on Thursday, citing a criminal complaint filed in May 2020 in Orange County, California, by the county’s district attorney. Roiland attended a pretrial hearing on Thursday.

Roiland has been charged with two felonies: one count of “domestic battery with corporal injury” and one count of “false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud, and/or deceit,” according to court records. Roiland faces several years imprisonment if convicted. Roiland could spend several years in prison if convicted. Rick and MortyIn August 2020, Roiland was taken into custody and released with a bond of $50,000. Roiland, who was arraigned on October 14, 2020, did not plead guilty to the charges. The details of the case are still unclear. NBC News stated that certain documents were sealed to keep some information secret from the media and the public.

Roiland appeared at court several times since his arraignment. The next one is set for April 27. However, the court has yet to set a trial date.

T. Edward Welbourn, attorney for Justin Roiland, said in a statement to Polygon, “It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been. To be clear, not only is Justin innocent but we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence. We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.”

NBC News also reported that a protective order was filed against Roiland in October 2020, but it’s not immediately clear who filed the order. The order prohibits Roiland from being within 100 feet of the person in question; he’s also been ordered not to “harass, threaten or surveil” that person, and to turn over any firearms he may have owned, according to NBC News.

Roiland is most well-known for co-creating the Roiland. Rick and MortyDan Harmon in 2012. Roiland portrays Rick Sanchez as well as Morty Smith, the grandson of Morty Smith. Rick and Morty has been one of Adult Swim’s most popular shows over its six seasons. Adult Swim purchased 70 episodes of the series in 2018, which would bring the total number of seasons to around 10. Adult Swim representatives were unable to comment when we reached them.

In 2016, Roiland formed Squanch Games, a gaming studio (previously known as Squanchtendo). Four games have been released by the company: Accounting, Dr. Splorchy Presents: Space Heroes, The Universe is Saved by TroverAnd The Highest in Life. The Highest in Life debuted in December 2022 and quickly became a huge success — it was the biggest Game Pass launch of the year. Squanch Games has not responded to Polygon’s request for comment.