Matthew Ruff Top DUI Attorney

California DUI Attorney, Matthew Ruff ☎️ Call Toll Free 1-877-212-2090

Top Rated DUI Attorney

Matthew Ruff, Top Rated DUI Attorney Serving Mojave California

Mojave Courthouse is located in the western region of the famous Mojave Desert. It is the local Court for the city and surrounding areas. The city is primarily there to serve the aircraft industries located in the area.

Matthew Ruff is a Top Tier DUI Lawyer with 30 years experience defending drunk driving cases in Kern County, Mojave Court. Known as the “Master of DUI Defense”.

All arrests from Tehachapi, California City, Edwards Airbase, Boron, highway 58, and Stallion Springs go to the East Kern Superior Court in Mojave. We have defended hundreds of cases in this jurisdiction for over 25 years and can assist you in your case. Matthew is also 5 Star Rated by clients on social media ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. If you are looking for a DUI Lawyer in Mojave:

☎️ Call Matt direct 661-327-7833

I was arrested for DUI and cited to appear in the Kern County Superior Court, can a Mojave DUI Attorney appear for me? Yes, under 977 of the CA Penal Code allows for a private lawyer to appear and defend a criminal case in Court. This is a huge plus for people in that they can avoid having to drive hours or even fly back to go to Court in their case.

What are the ways a DUI Attorney in Mojave can get charges dropped or dismissed? Among the many different strategies is to challenge the basis for arrest. You see, in California the police officer must have probable cause in order to make an arrest for driving while intoxicated. Ordinarily the officer would establish this cause by observing certain cues or “clues” they are trained to detect during the initial stop and investigation. The problem sometimes arises that some officers do not follow the standardized methods of detection and when this occurs a lawyer can challenge the sufficiency of the evidence by showing protocol was not followed and the officer deviated from his training. The legal procedure used is to file a motion pursuant to Penal Code 1538.5 which is a legal vehicle to request the arrest be declared unconstitutional and therefore a dismissal of the case is warranted.

Matt Can Stop The DMV License Suspension

Mojave DUI Attorney Wins License Suspension

If the Officer took your driver’s license Matt can stop the suspension and get your license back! Matthew has won hundreds of DMV hearings relating to DUI and other driving matters, the image above is a set aside Matthew obtained on behalf of even though the client had a .17 BAC level. If you are facing a DMV suspension for a driving under the influence incident contact us immediately, the law only gives you 10 days to demand a hearing otherwise the suspension becomes final. One of the more common issues that arise from drunk driving incidents in the Mojave Desert is the issue of the 3 hour presumption rule. This rule requires that the DMV prove the driving occurred within three hours of the time of the breath or blood test in order to make the results admissible at the hearing. The problem that occurs is that since the area is geographically vast and if an accident takes place it could take longer than 3 hours for CHP to arrive, make an arrest and thereafter test the person for BAC. Our Firm has won many cases arguing that the Department has not proved the rule was complied with.

Matt Has The Top Reviews

Matthew Ruff has three decades of experience fighting and winning criminal charges in Mojave CA. From Tehachapi to Edwards Air Force Base, he has defended good people arrested and charged with all kinds of driving offenses and felony charges. He can help You!

30 Years of Hard Hitting, In Court Experience on Your Side!

Matt has two and a half decades worth of case experience, thousands of cases under his belt! Because we have defended countless cases in this area we know the breath machines law enforcement uses to arrest you and the weaknesses in those machines. If you were arrested for drunk driving in eastern Kern County and ordered to appear in the Mojave Court we can help.

Matt is a Long Time Member of NCDD

Member of National College of DUI Defense

Matt takes his work seriously and constantly trains and keeps up on the latest science and defense strategies. For example, the College requires members to maintain an excellent working knowledge of scientific principles related to breath and blood testing and the shortcomings of many field tests that police use on a daily basis.

Aggressive DUI Defense

Mojave California DUI Attorney, Matthew Ruff

Matt believes the best approach to win a DUI is to fight the DA hard and know the science and law better than anyone, that’s why Matthew has the best success record for DWI in Mojave Court, Kern County and throughout California. If you are facing a driving under the influence charge call us for honest and accurate information about your options and potential legal defenses.

Just recently Matt was hired by a client arrested for DWI in Lake Isabella California after she was observed driving on the wrong side of the road by a CHP officer. She submitted to FST exercises and took a chemical test which reported a result of .13 BAC. The client was given a Court date in Mojave and released. She immediately reached out to Matt who jumped right on the case and stopped the DMV license suspension. Once the reports were obtained the case was evaluated for defenses and a conference was set up to discuss the case with the District Attorney. After a presentation of the facts the DA agreed to DISMISS THE DUI CHARGES and offer a reduced charge.

Matt has resolved hundreds of cases in a favorable manner of the last 25 years. If you or a loved one is facing drunk driving charges in Kern County call Matt today.

DUI Drug Cases are Winnable

Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) are common cases in California now that marijuana has been legalized. The CHP will arrest drivers that display symptoms of drug impairment, but these case are very defendable, here’s why:

Drug impairment can very easily be confused with medical conditions, officers are trained that there are many medical conditions, emotions and feelings that will cause a sober driver to display signs and symptoms of drug intoxication. Moreover, the toxicology doesn’t mean much. Toxicology tests for drug impairment has limitations and cannot be used to reliably determine levels of drug impairment at the time of driving.

I was arrested for a DWI near Tehachapi, can you help?

Yes, our team of Kern County Defense Lawyers are very knowledgeable about the area surrounding Tehachapi, including Bear Valley Springs. These cases go to the Mojave Superior Court and are prosecuted by the District Attorney. Most of these arrests involve the CHP and Sheriff’s Department. It is not uncommon for the officers to use a portable evidential breath machine that is contained in a small briefcase and is used as both a portable breath testing machine (PAS) and the evidentiary chemical test. Our lawyers are skilled in attacking the reliability and accuracy of these tests.

If you are facing a charge of DUI in the Mojave Court Matt can help.

Matthew Ruff Beats Tehachapi Breathalyzer

How Matthew Won DMV Hearing on .10 Tehachapi DUI

Case Spotlight: How Attorney Matthew Ruff Beat a Tehachapi DUI & Saved His Client’s Driver’s License

When facing a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest in Kern County, the legal process moves swiftly. Drivers face two distinct legal hurdles: a criminal court process with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and an administrative license suspension process through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver Safety Branch.

Top Tehachapi DUI Defense Attorney Matthew Ruff recently secured a complete triumph for a client arrested in Tehachapi, California, demonstrating how keen legal analysis and strict evidentiary objections can defeat a DMV license suspension.

Here is an analysis of how the defense uncovered crucial flaws in the law enforcement paperwork to protect the client’s driving privileges.

The Background & Arrest

The incident occurred late at night near Highway 58 and Tucker Road in Tehachapi, California. An officer with the Tehachapi Police Department reported observing a vehicle exit the freeway off-ramp at a low rate of speed, brake sharply, and make a last-second turn. The officer followed the vehicle as it traveled 30–35 MPH in a 45–50 MPH zone on Tucker Road.

After initiating a traffic stop, the officer noted objective symptoms of impairment (bloodshot/watery eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcohol). Following Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test yielded a 0.096% BAC. The driver was arrested and administered two evidential breath tests using a Dräger Alcotest 7510 device, which recorded BAC readings of 0.100% and 0.088%.

The officer issued an Administrative Per Se (APS) Order of Suspension/Revocation and forwarded the official report (Form DS 367) to the DMV.

Key Legal Strategies Used by Matthew Ruff

To uphold an Administrative Per Se suspension, the DMV bears the legal burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the officer had reasonable cause to stop/arrest the driver and that the driver operated a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or greater.

Attorney Matthew Ruff filed a detailed Administrative Hearing Brief directly challenging the DMV's evidence on multiple foundational grounds:

1. Defective Officer Certification (Title 17 Non-Compliance)

The cornerstone of any chemical test admission is proof that the test was properly administered by a trained, qualified operator in accordance with Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

On the official DS 367 Officer’s Statement, the Breath Test Machine Operator's Certification section was left blank—lacking the arresting officer’s signature and certification.

The Strategy: Matthew Ruff argued that without a signed certification, the DMV lacked foundational proof that the officer was qualified to operate the breathalyzer or that Title 17 procedures were followed. Citing Daniels v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1983) and People v. Adams (1976), Ruff established that the uncertified test results lacked competency, reliability, and trustworthiness.

2. Inapplicability of Evidence Code 664 Presumptions

Under California law, Evidence Code § 664 allows the DMV to presume that an official duty was regularly performed.

The Strategy: Ruff asserted that the presumption of regularity under EC 664 does not apply unless the DMV first proves the officer was properly trained and qualified pursuant to Vehicle Code § 13380. Without a signed certification on the DS 367, no such presumption could be used to cure the defect.

3. Inadmissibility of PAS Results as a Substitute

Because the evidential breath test was flawed, the DMV could not simply substitute the preliminary (PAS) breath result of 0.096% to support an over-0.08% BAC finding. Citing Coniglio v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1995), Ruff noted that numerical PAS test results are legally inadmissible to prove an over-0.08% BAC in an administrative hearing unless full Title 17 foundational compliance is independently established.

4. Unlawful Traffic Stop & Lack of Probable Cause

Ruff also challenged the legality of the initial detention under Whren v. U.S. (1996) and Dibble v. Gourley (2002).

The officer noted no Vehicle Code violations, stopping the driver solely for driving 30–35 MPH in a 45–50 MPH zone on an empty road and taking a turn sharply.

Under Vehicle Code § 22400, driving below the speed limit is not a crime unless it actively blocks or impedes traffic. Citing Taylor v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1995), Ruff pointed out that minor, non-violative unusual driving behavior does not provide valid reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop.

The Verdict: Total Victory at the DMV

Following the submission of Matthew Ruff’s brief and hearing argument, the DMV Legal Affairs Division (El Segundo Driver Safety Office) issued an Order of Set Aside or Reinstatement.

The DMV set aside the license suspension under Vehicle Code § 13353.2, clearing the driver to retain full driving privileges without paying reissue fees or maintaining SR-22 insurance.

Matthew Ruff Gets 3rd Time Tehachapi DUI Dismissed

Third Time DUI, 14601.2 and Probation Charges Dropped

Dismissed: How Top-Tier Attorney Matthew Ruff Resolved Serious Tehachapi DUI & Suspended License Charges

When facing a high-stakes misdemeanor complaint in Kern County, the choice of legal representation makes all the difference.

In a recent case out of the Mojave Judicial District, a client was facing incredibly severe traffic and criminal allegations. Thanks to the aggressive advocacy and professional professional relationships maintained by top-tier DUI defense attorney Matthew Ruff, the most damaging charges were completely dismissed, saving the client from mandatory jail time and catastrophic license penalties.

The High Stakes: What the Client Was Facing

The prosecution filed a multi-count misdemeanor complaint following an incident in June 2025. The charges brought by the Kern County District Attorney’s office were severe and carried mandatory minimum jail sentences due to the client's prior record:

Count 1: Driving Under the Influence (VC 23152(a)) with Priors – The prosecution alleged this was a DUI Third Offense within 10 years, citing prior DUI convictions from Kern County (2015) and San Luis Obispo County (2023). A third-time DUI conviction in California carries a mandatory minimum of 120 days in county jail, hefty fines, and a multi-year license revocation.

Count 2: Driving with a License Suspended for a DUI (VC 14601.2(a)) – This charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail and an ignition interlock device (IID) requirement.

Count 3: Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of 0.01% or Greater While on DUI Probation (VC 23154(a)).

The Strategy: Professional Relationships & Legal Precision

Facing a third-offense DUI and a suspended license charge simultaneously puts a defendant in an incredibly vulnerable position. However, seasoned DUI attorney Matthew Ruff utilized his deep understanding of Kern County court procedures and his long-standing professional relationship with the District Attorney's office to negotiate an exceptional resolution.

Rather than walking blindly into a trial or accepting a standard, harsh plea offer from the state, Mr. Ruff initiated direct, strategic discussions with the Deputy District Attorney handling the case. By presenting mitigating evidence and leveraging his reputation for integrity and rigorous defense, he successfully navigated the negotiations to dismantle the prosecution's case block by block.

The Outcome: Major Charges Dismissed, Reduced to Wet Reckless

Through skillful negotiation and relentless advocacy, Matthew Ruff secured a phenomenal outcome that defied the steep penalties the client originally faced:

DUI Charges Dismissed: The harsh VC 23152(a) DUI charge—along with the standard third-offense enhancements—was completely dismissed.

VC 14601.2 Charges Dismissed: The heavily penalized charge of driving on a DUI-suspended license was entirely dropped, eliminating the mandatory jail time associated with it.

All Other Probation/Infraction Charges Dropped: The remaining allegations were discarded.

Reduced to a "Wet Reckless": The entire case was ultimately reduced to a single charge of reckless driving involving alcohol (commonly known as a "wet reckless").

Why This Matters

A reduction from a third-offense DUI and a driving on a suspended license charge down to a wet reckless is an extraordinary result. It allowed the client to completely avoid the mandatory 120-day jail sentence, protect what remained of their driving privileges, and bypass the devastating stigma and financial ruin of a multi-time DUI conviction.

This case stands as a prime example of why local experience and a strong professional rapport with prosecutors matter. If you are facing severe DUI or suspended license charges in Kern County, you need an attorney who knows how to talk to the DA and how to find the cracks in the prosecution's armor.