When facing multiple felony charges in Los Angeles County, the stakes could not be higher. A recent case handled by top-tier Long Beach DUI Attorney Matthew Ruff demonstrates how strategic advocacy and an experienced legal defense can completely change the trajectory of a serious criminal prosecution.
Arrested for DUI? Call ☎️ Matt 310-686-1533
Our client was facing multiple severe felony counts stemming from a late-night traffic incident in Long Beach:
Count 1: Driving Under the Influence of an Alcoholic Beverage Causing Injury (Vehicle Code Section 23153(a))—Charged as a Felony.
Count 2: Driving with a .08% Blood Alcohol Content Causing Injury (Vehicle Code Section 23153(b))—Charged as a Felony, carrying allegations of an enhanced Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.20%.
Count 3: Hit and Run Driving Resulting in Injury to Another Person (Vehicle Code Section 20001(b)(1))—Charged as a Felony.
Additionally, because the client had a prior DUI conviction within the last ten years, the prosecution sought elevated penalties under Vehicle Code Section 23540, opening the door to mandatory state prison custody time under California Penal Code Section 1170.
The Steep Hurdles of the Prosecution’s Case
The police documentation and forensic reports painted an incredibly tough picture for the defense. According to the Long Beach Police Department and California Highway Patrol reports:
The Accident: Officers on the scene of an unrelated incident witnessed a white Dodge Challenger strike a pedestrian in a crosswalk at the intersection of West Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue. The pedestrian was thrown through the air and rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center with generalized body pain and bloody facial abrasions.
The Flight: Police reported that the vehicle stopped briefly for mere seconds before driving away from the scene, ignoring direct verbal commands from officers to stop. A felony stop was executed blocks away on Pacific Avenue.
The Refusal and Warrant: Upon detention, officers observed standard objective symptoms of intoxication. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, the driver reportedly refused to submit to voluntary chemical breath or blood testing and arrested for DUI. Law enforcement successfully obtained an emergency blood draw search warrant signed by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.
The Toxicology Results: The subsequent laboratory analysis from the Forensic Science Services Division revealed a staggering 0.200% W/V Blood Alcohol Content—two and a half times the legal limit.
The Defense Strategy: Why Experienced Representation Matters
Facing a direct eyewitness narrative from law enforcement, a hit-and-run sequence caught by multiple officers, an injury victim, a prior DUI record, and an incredibly high blood test result secured via a legal search warrant, a conviction carrying significant prison or jail time seemed virtually guaranteed.
However, an elite DUI defense is not about throwing in the towel; it is about examining every piece of evidence, protecting constitutional rights, and building a narrative that humanizes the defendant to the court and prosecution.
Drawing on three decades of experience in forensic toxicology, sobriety testing equipment evaluation, and California Title 17 compliance, master of dui defense Matthew Ruff meticulously scrutinized the state’s case. By aggressively identifying gaps in the timeline, evaluating the processing of the blood sample, and highlighting mitigating factors regarding the client’s background, Mr. Ruff initiated intense negotiations with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
The Outcome: No Jail Time
Through skilled negotiation and unwavering advocacy, Matthew Ruff achieved a truly exceptional outcome given the severity of a second-offense felony DUI with injury and hit-and-run allegations.
Instead of the state prison or county jail sentences sought by the prosecution under California law, the case was resolved with absolutely no jail time.
The final resolution secured for the client consists strictly of:
0 Days of Custody/Jail Time
30 Days of Community Service
Standard alternative felony probation terms and required alcohol education programming.
This outcome preserved our client’s freedom and provided a critical second chance to move forward without the devastating impact of an extended incarceration period.
Contact a Top-Tier Los Angeles DUI Specialist
If you or a loved one is facing a complex DUI or hit-and-run charge in Torrance, Long Beach, Santa Monica, or anywhere across Los Angeles County, do not leave your freedom to chance. Serious charges require a serious defense strategy.
Contact Long Beach DUI Lawyer Matthew Ruff today for a confidential case evaluation.
