“Master of DUI Defense” -Matthew Ruff

Practice Areas

DUI Defense
Criminal Defense
DMV Hearings
DUI Drugs
DUI Marijuana
Public Intoxication

Our Approach

At the DUI Law Firm of Matthew Ruff we specialize in bringing the law to your corner. We are dedicated to understanding what results you want and to helping you understand what actions we can take on your behalf. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.

If you are looking for a Santa Clarita DUI Attorney or lawyer to fight a marijuana DUID, Matthew can help.

A Team in Your Corner

Every morning, DUI Attorney Matthew Ruff and his legal team has a meeting to discuss our cases. This means that no matter who you go with in our firm, the expertise of the whole team weighs in on your case.

Legacy of Success

Championing the Defense: Matthew J. Ruff Honored with the 2026 Gold Client Champion Award

When facing the stress and complexity of a DUI charge, the quality of your legal representation isn't just important—it’s life-altering. For residents in Torrance and across Southern California, one name has consistently stood out as a beacon of relentless advocacy and exceptional skill: Matthew J. Ruff.

We are thrilled to highlight a major milestone in Mr. Ruff’s distinguished career. He has officially been awarded the 2026 Gold Client Champion Award by Martindale-Hubbell, the world’s most trusted and prestigious legal resource.

What Does It Mean to Be a "Client Champion"?

Unlike peer-reviewed accolades, the Client Champion award is fundamentally different because it comes directly from the people who know an attorney best: their clients. Managed through a rigorous, confidential review process by Martindale-Hubbell, the Gold level designation recognizes an elite group of lawyers who provide exemplary service, transparent communication, and unparalleled dedication. This honor proves what Matthew Ruff's clients have known for years—that he treats every individual case with the personal, high-stakes attention it deserves. When you call his office, you get Matt directly on the phone, ensuring you are never simply passed off to a paralegal or secretary.

Three Decades of Mastery in DUI and Criminal Defense

Achieving Gold Client Champion status doesn't happen overnight. This award is backed by nearly 30 years of experience on the front lines of California’s legal system.

Over a career spanning three decades, Matthew Ruff has successfully defended well over 4,000 DUI, criminal cases, and DMV Administrative Hearings. His profound expertise isn't accidental; 100% of his practice is exclusively dedicated to DUI and criminal defense, making him a true "master of the craft."

What sets Matt apart from standard defense lawyers?

• A 360-Degree Perspective: With an educational background in law enforcement and crucial prior experience working in the District Attorney's Office, Matt knows exactly how the prosecution thinks, builds cases, and attempts to secure convictions.

• Scientific & Technical Expertise: A DUI defense is heavily reliant on science. Matt is a long-time member of the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD) and is instructively trained in NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DRE (Drug Recognition Expert), and ARIDE standards. He is widely considered an expert in the inner workings of breath testing equipment and blood alcohol analysis.

• A Teacher of the Law: His grasp of DUI defense is so respected that he routinely teaches and leads training seminars for other defense attorneys looking to sharpen their skills.

A Continuing Legacy of Excellence

The 2026 Gold Client Champion Award is just the latest addition to an already packed trophy room. Matthew’s consistent track record of securing dismissals, winning tough jury trial acquittals, and reversing DMV suspensions has earned him nationwide recognition:

• Perfect 10/10 Rating on Avvo: The nation's largest attorney rating service ranks him as "Superb."

• America’s Most Honored Lawyers: Certified by The American Registry, placing him in the Top 5% of all American professionals.

• Top 3 Best Rated DWI & DUI Lawyers: Recognized locally by ThreeBestRated® for outstanding local trust and integrity.

• An A+ Rating with the California Better Business Bureau.

From representing everyday citizens to defending practicing attorneys and off-duty California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, Matthew Ruff has proven time and again that no case is truly "impossible to win."

Need a Champion in Your Corner?

If you or a loved one is navigating the terrifying waters of a DUI or DMV hearing in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, or the surrounding Los Angeles area, don't settle for second best. Put 30 years of award-winning, gold-standard experience to work for you.

Matthew Ruff Wins .18% BAC DUI Case

Winning DUI Cases For Over 30 Years

Nationally recognized top-tier DUI defense attorney Matthew Ruff secured a total victory for a client facing a severe license suspension after successfully arguing that the state's chemical blood test evidence was entirely inadmissible.

The case, which involved an alleged Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .18%—more than double the California legal limit of 0.08%—culminated in a full set-aside of the administrative action against the driver's license.

As documented in the official California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver Safety Office ruling (shown above), the respondent was initially arrested on October 26, 2000, for an alleged violation of Section 23152 of the Vehicle Code. The state subsequent to the arrest sought a lengthy suspension based on a chemical blood test showing a .18% BAC taken later that evening.

However, leveraging his deep technical mastery of forensic evidence and California's strict Title 17 regulations, Attorney Matthew Ruff identified critical systemic flaws in the prosecution’s evidence. Ruff aggressively argued that the chemical test results were unsworn and legally deficient because the lab had submitted uncertified documents, including the Kern County Regional Criminalistic Laboratory Report.

Crucially, Ruff demonstrated that the lab analyst who analyzed the blood sample failed to provide mandatory certification confirming they were trained in blood analysis, and failed to establish that the testing was conducted under the mandatory guidelines set by Title 17 of the Government Code.

Convinced by Ruff’s legal arguments, Driver Safety Officer Jesse Salazar ruled that the blood report was entirely inadmissible and could not be considered reliable evidence. Because the critical blood evidence was thrown out, the DMV officially determined that the preponderance of evidence did not support that the respondent was driving with a BAC at or above 0.08%, legally forcing the department to vacate the suspension.

"This case underscores a fundamental truth in DUI defense: a high blood alcohol reading on paper does not equal an automatic conviction," said Matthew Ruff. "The Constitution and California law require law enforcement and laboratories to adhere to strict scientific and legal protocols. When those standards are ignored or bypassed, the evidence is inherently unreliable, and we will fight to ensure it never sees the light of day in a court of law."

The victory reinforces Matthew Ruff’s reputation as a "Master of DUI Defense," illustrating his firm's strict commitment to protecting the constitutional rights and livelihoods of his clients through meticulous forensic and legal analysis.

About the Law Offices of Matthew J. Ruff

With over 30 years of dedicated criminal litigation and DUI defense experience, Matthew Ruff is a nationally recognized, top-tier defense attorney. Known for his expert understanding of breath and blood testing science, police procedures, and DMV administrative advocacy, Mr. Ruff provides aggressive, hands-on representation for clients throughout Southern California and Kern County.

Matthew Ruff Wins .18 Blood Test DUI