We are proud to announce a significant legal victory for our client at the Inglewood Courthouse. Attorney Matthew Ruff successfully navigated the complex legal challenges of a high-BAC DUI case, ultimately resulting in the dismissal of charges for the client.

The Incident and Prosecution’s Case

The case originated from an incident in the city of Hawthorne. According to the arrest reports, the situation presented several steep hurdles for the defense:  

• Vehicle Collision: A witness reported seeing the vehicle traveling approximately 40–45 MPH before it failed to brake and collided with trees along a median.  

• High BAC Levels: Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) tests conducted at the scene returned results of .180% and .191%—more than double the legal limit.  

• Physical Symptoms: Officers noted objective symptoms of intoxication, including watery and bloodshot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and a “swaying” gait.  

• Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs): The reporting officer indicated that the client allegedly performed “poorly” on the field sobriety tests.  

How Matthew Ruff Challenged the Evidence

Despite the documented collision and the high chemical test results, Matthew Ruff’s aggressive defense strategy identified critical weaknesses in the prosecution’s narrative.

By scrutinizing the DUI Arrest Report and the Officer’s Statement (DS 367), Mr. Ruff was able to challenge the “opinion and conclusions” of the arresting officers. The defense focused on the nuances of the investigation, including the reliability of the PAS device (Alco-Sensor) and the specific conduct of the field sobriety tests performed on the sidewalk.  

The Result: DUI and Driving with a BAC at or above .08 Charges Dropped

When the case reached the Inglewood Courthouse, the prosecution was unable to overcome the defense’s challenges. Among the arguments, Matthew asserted the officer’s violated the client’s 4th Amendment rights. As a result, the DUI charges under CVC 23152(a) and 23152(b) were dropped as part of a negotiated disposition.

This outcome highlights the importance of having an experienced advocate who understands how to dissect police reports and chemical test procedures. Even when a case involves a collision and a high BAC, a skilled attorney can find the path to a dismissal.

If you or a loved one are facing DUI charges in Inglewood or the South Bay area, don’t leave your future to chance. If you are in need of an Inglewood DUI Attorney or defense lawyer in any other city in Southern California, Matthew Ruff can help.