Justin Roiland’s Domestic Violence Charges Have Been Dropped

Two months after Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland was facing domestic violence charges, the voice actor's charges have been dismissed. The Orange County District Attorney's office made this decision "as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt," spokeswoman Kimberly Edds said in a statement.

The incident in which Roiland, 43, was accused and pleaded not guilty, was from a girlfriend in 2020. The anonymous "Jane Doe" complained to police that Roiland’s actions resulted “in a traumatic condition." If found guilty, Roiland could have faced up to seven years in prison.

As we previously reported, the producer and director was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020. He formally pleaded not guilty to the charges two months later. A protective order was filed against Roiland to keep at least 100 feet away from the accuser at all times. He was also ordered not to harass, threaten or spy on her. If he had any firearms he possesses, he was ordered to turn those over to police for holding until at least October of this year.

At the time, Edward Welbourn, an attorney for Roiland, said in a statement: “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.” Additionally, Roiland was cut from Adult Swim, Rick and Morty, Hulu's animated series Solar Opposites and Koala Man. The animated shows all said they were continuing without him.

Roiland commented on Twitter shortly after news of the charges were dropped. He wrote: "I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come. I'm thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I'm still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process. Most of all, I'm disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me 'canceled.' That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful. However, now that the legal case has ended, I’m determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name." Both Adult Swim and Hulu declined to comment.