If you’re holding a yellow piece of paper from the Santa Monica Police Department with “647(f) PC” scribbled under the citation details, your stomach is likely in knots. Whether the incident happened near the Fairmont Miramar, along Ocean Avenue, or after a night out at the Pier, a public intoxication charge is more than just an embarrassing story—it’s a criminal misdemeanor that can follow you on every background check for the rest of your life.
However, as veteran Torrance DUI Attorney and Santa Monica defense attorney Matthew Ruff has proven time and again, a citation is not a conviction. In fact, some of the biggest victories happen before you ever step foot inside a courtroom.
Most people wait until their court date to deal with their charges. By then, the City Prosecutor has already reviewed the police report, filed formal charges, and set the wheels of the justice system in motion.
Matthew Ruff’s approach is different. He focuses on early intervention.
By stepping in immediately after an arrest, Mr. Ruff can engage with prosecutors during the “pre-filing” stage. This is a critical window where the government decides whether or not to actually move forward with a case. When a skilled attorney presents a “mitigation package” or highlights evidentiary gaps early, they can often convince the prosecutor to reject the case entirely.
How Santa Monica Public Intoxication Defense Attorney Matthew Ruff Gets Charges Dropped
In Santa Monica, where tourism is high and the police are vigilant, many 647(f) PC arrests are made based on subjective observations: “bloodshot eyes,” “slurred speech,” or a “strong odor of alcohol.”
Matthew Ruff challenges these assertions by focusing on three key areas:
1. The “Unable to Care for Safety” Standard: Under California law, being drunk in public isn’t a crime on its own. The prosecution must prove you were so intoxicated that you could no longer care for your own safety or the safety of others. Mr. Ruff often argues that while a client may have been “buzzed,” they did not meet this high legal threshold.
2. The Human Element: For many, an arrest is a one-time mistake. Mr. Ruff highlights his clients’ professional backgrounds—whether they are nurses, engineers, or students—to show that a criminal record would be a disproportionate punishment.
3. Constitutional Challenges: If the initial stop by Santa Monica PD was unlawful, any evidence gathered afterward is “fruit of the poisonous tree.” Mr. Ruff has successfully filed motions to suppress evidence, leading to total dismissals.
A Recent Success Story
In a notable Santa Monica case, a client was arrested after a disturbance at a local hotel. Rather than waiting for the court date, Matthew Ruff contacted the prosecutor immediately. By providing context that the police report missed and negotiating directly with the City Attorney, he secured a complete dismissal of all charges. The client never had to worry about a permanent mark on their record or the stress of a trial.
Don’t Wait for Your Court Date
The date written on your citation is a deadline, but it shouldn’t be the day you start your defense.
If you want the best chance at a “dismissed” case, the work needs to start now. Early intervention turns a potentially life-altering mistake into a closed chapter.
Matthew Ruff is a Santa Monica DUI Attorney who has 30 years experience fighting for and winning alcohol related cases such as public intoxication and drunk driving.
