Santa Monica boasts some of the most visited beaches and tourist spots in Southern California.  Those visiting the pier, Venice and similar areas some times encounter problems with the police due to an over indulgence of alcohol and problems associated with having too much fun and/or  over zealous cops.  When this happens those individuals need a local criminal defense lawyer in the Santa Monica area to assist them in going to Court and getting out of trouble.  Attorney Matthew J. Ruff has been helping people arrested in Santa Monica and adjacent communities for close to 15 years.  All arrests originating in Santa Monica eventually find their way to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, LAX Division located at 11701 South La Cienega Blvd off the 405 freeway near the LAX airport. 

All misdemeanor offenses are heard in Division 147 on the 9th floor of the Courthouse.  These cases are prosecuted by the Santa Monica City Attorney.  The first appearance before the Judge is called an arraignment and it is at this time either a not guilty (sometimes called an innocent plea) or a guilty or no contest plea is entered.  It is vital to have an attorney's advice before any plea is made.  Some seemingly innocuous criminal charges such as drunk in public, shoplifting, petty theft, possession of marijuana and similar criminal charges  have long term consequences that can come back to haunt individuals many years after the case is adjudicated.  For example, a possession of less than an ounce of marijuana in a vehicle (VC23222) ticket can often be disposed of for a fine, however a conviction results in points on a DMV record and substantially higher insurance and potential employment ramifications.  Similarly, a shoplifting ticket (PC484) can often be resolved by a mere fine in Court but a conviction will stay on your record forever as a crime of dishonesty.

Out of state residents who visit the area sometimes are cited or arrested for DUI (VC23152), drunk driving, DWI, or driving under the influence in the Santa Monica area and do not understand their rights and options regarding the case.  California law does allow a local attorney to appear in Court on behalf of a client in most of these cases.  The benefit of retaining a lawyer to defend a alcohol related charge is tremendous.  First of all, a DMV hearing is mandatory in all DUI incidents in order to avoid a license suspension.  As a local Santa Monica DUI Lawyer, Matthew Ruff can file the necessary applications for a DMV hearing in order to keep the arrest off your motor vehicle record in your home state.  Furthermore, as is often the case, he can make all necessary  appearances in the LAX Superior Court and negotiate with the prosecutor and Judge to hopefully eliminate a DUI conviction.

Underage defendants face particularly difficult  challenges.  A simple ticket for drinking alcohol in public may seem not to be a serious matter, however a conviction could mean a one year drivers license suspension by the California Department of motor Vehicles.  As is the case with public intoxication, using fake or false identification, driving while intoxicated, and possession of alcoholic beverages and marijuana or even a joint.  Santa Monica Police unfortunately target tourists and out of town visitors, many of whom are under 21 and in college or the military.  One typical scenario is when law enforcement observes large groups of young people walking along the beach or pier and they stop to check ID's and whether alcohol is present, this encounter invariably results in tickets being issued or an arrest being made.  In this situation, a Santa Monica Criminal Defense Attorney can intervene and resolve outstanding violations. 

    CONTACT  MATTHEW J. RUFF  FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION AT 310-527-4100

Our office gets many phone calls from family members seeking information about how to help a loved one in jail in Santa Monica.  Our attorney can take immediate steps to arrange release of individuals incarcerated awaiting their first appearance before a magistrate.  We can file motions for bail reduction or negotiate a "own recognizance" release which does not require the posting of a bail bond.  If you have received a call from a friend or loved one in custody, give Santa Monica criminal attorney Matthew Ruff a call for a free straight talk consultation on what action needs to be taken now.

Among the countless favorable dispositions obtained by Santa Monica Defense Attorney Matthew Ruff,  on May 10, 2010 the lawyer got theft charges dropped in a case that involved over $450 in merchandise allegedly stolen from a retailer in a local mall.  The client was obviously concerned about the ramifications that would result from her being convicted of the charge.  Matthew fought the case with the prosecutor and worked out a deal that resulted in a dismissal of all charges with nothing showing on her record.

Another recent case involved a client arrested at the Sephora store at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.  The clinet was charged with shoplifting approximately $300 worth of merchandise.  The major concern for her was that she was not a US citizen and traveled frequently as she lived outside the United States and could not make her Court appearance in the Santa Monica Court.  She hired Matthew over the phone and he went to Court for her and arranged for all charges to be dismissed so that nothing showed up on her record when traveling through the airport coming back into the country.

DUI is also a very common charge that is brought against visitors to Santa Monica with its popular bars, restaurants and night clubs.  An example of a recent case that attorney Ruff has defended is one where a client was arrested after leaving a bar.  The client was detained after a citizen reported a possible DUI driver.  The evidence showed a blood alcohol level of .19%.  A friend referred her to Matthew Ruff and he went to Court and worked out a dismissal of both the VC 23152a and 23152b charges, instead, the client got the case busted down to a drunk in public which will not show up on any DMV record and did not require any DUI school.

Also, Matthew Ruff got a DUI case dismissed for a UCLA student arrested for a second time drunk driving.   This particular individual was referred to attorney Ruff by her mother who was genuinely concerned that her daughter would have to go to county jail for the violation.  Even though the client was still on probation for her first DUI arrest, the client got no jail time and kept her drivers license from being suspended in Division 147 of the LAX Court that hears all Santa Monica DUI cases in May of 2010.

Similar to DUI is a drunk in public charge (PC647f), sometimes referred to as public intoxication.  Attorney Matthew Ruff has a near 100 percent success rate in getting drunk in public charges dismissed in Santa Monica so that the offense will not appear on the individual's criminal record in California.

Matthew Ruff has encountered many recurring questions concerning criminal cases over the last decade and a half.   Can I go to jail for a DUI, Petty Theft, Drug Possession, Domestic Violence or Drinking in Public?  Will I lose my drivers license following a drunk driving detention?  Does the Santa Monica City Attorney seek prison for people driving on a suspended license?

Call Santa Monica Criminal Defense Lawyer Matthew J. Ruff today at 310-527-4100, his office is a short 10 minutes from the Santa Monica LAX Court off the 405 freeway.  The attorney can meet with you personally or you can arrange to have him represent you over the telephone, via fax, internet or email at matthew.ruff@sbcglobal.net .