Mr. Ruff was the best! My husband had a case in Torrance, from 2004 a failure to appear on a possession charge and the DA wanted to put my husband in jail. We had been working with the court since March 2012 with a Public Defender. It went well for a while. Until we got a PD who was awful at her job. So the Judge was upset with my husband and the lack of evidence provided by the PD to show progress on the DOJ course they assigned my husband to complete. The class was a mess and with a change in a number of instructors, one decided to discharge my husband with only three classes left to complete the course in Oct 2013 and we were trying to get an extension on completing the course and/or to find a new course. It costs $ weekly and my husband and I were doing our best with our three kids and three dogs. Plus all the other stuff that comes with Life. We left our follow up Court date in December 2013 feeling helpless and defeated. Not knowing where to go from here, but knowing that upon return back to court in January 2014 that my husband might get the book, and get locked up. We were scared, my husband could loose his new job, we could get real behind in bills and who knows what after whatever time the DA decided to give him for a 10 year old possession case. My husband had no priors and had not got in trouble in the last 10 years but the DA didn't care. She wanted to make him pay with Jail time due to a failed attempt to finish a drug course. So, we decided to ask family and put our $ together and contacted Mr. Ruff in January for a court date at the end of the month. Mr. Ruff was professional and understanding. He wanted to know a little about my husband and his outstanding character. Mr. Ruff agreed to take the case and we showed up to the next court date on a few hundred prayers and Mr. Ruff. We left with a step toward victory. My husband didn't get locked up and received a second opportunity to take the DOJ course. We went to court for a follow up date in March 2014 and the DA was not happy with how long it was taking to complete a year course in a few months. Mr. Ruff walked up and asked to speak to the Judge and DA privately in chambers, the judge agreed and Mr. Ruff presented my husbands progress and the character letters from Family, Friends, and Co worker. They agreed to extend his program on the pretense to a clean drug test. Since Mr. Ruff knew my husband by this point he vouged for my husband in the presence of The Judge and The DA. That the test would be clean and my husband could contine the DOJ Course. He passed with a clean test and finished the course by early June. Our court date was for July 30th 2014. My husband called Mr. Ruff to touchbase and confirm that he would be there for the court date. Mr.Ruff arrived a few minutes late but that's not a problem in court. Mr. Ruff went up with my husband and we had a great victory. The case was dismissed!! A Million Thank You's to Mr. Ruff!!! 1 1/2 years of hard work alone with no progress but only 7 months with Mr. Ruff and success! Well worth the money!!! read more

Let me start off by saying that I was in alot of trouble and was facing a whole lot of time in prison. The police had me charged with attempted murder with gang charges. My family was stressed out that I was in jail and had to get me out. They were referred to Matthew by a neighbor who had a son that was charged with a criminal case in Torrance and he helped them out. They were so grateful to Matthew for saving their son that they kept joking that if they had another child they would name him Mateo which is Spanish for Matthew. Anyway, when the attorney first came out to talk to me at the police station he was very confident and knew what he was talking about, even the Sergeant at the station said he knew him and had seen him in Court many times and said he was good. He told me the most important thing was to keep my words to myself because "the walls have ears" which meant that they record the conversations that you have with other inmates and your own family. He was right because another guy told me his friend was found guilty after he made some stupid statements to another convict who got him to confess. I knew right away he cared and wanted to help me. The case went on for almost two years, he fought like hell to get charges dropped at the preliminary hearing and he did, he got all the gang charges thrown out which was huge. I was eventually given bail and everytime we went to court he was the one person in the courtroom that the judge seemed to really listen to. The DA and the public defenders all were busy wanting to get out of court but Matt took the time to make sure I was always told what was going on and what to expect the next time we went to court again. Originally I was facing life in prison and believed I would never see my family again ever as a free man. Manyy people in jail tell you that you cannot win in the Torrance Court because the jury is against you, they had me convicnced that I was a gonner. I still have a hard time believing that I am out and can breath the air as a free man, matthew worked out a deal that got all the original charges dropped and changed to a no strike offense. I have him to thank read more

I hired Matthew Ruff to defend me against a bogus domestic violence charge. His communication and follow up are great..., when he feels like it and when he is not too busy, and at other times he simply ignores you completely and leaves you in the dark as to what is going on with your case and what his strategy is. He knows all the players in the courtroom exceptionally well, which could work in your favor, but could also work against you and make things go very badly. It is my opinion and strong gut feeling that Matthew will not fight for you if he himself does not strongly believe that you are innocent. The problem here is that you would have to convincingly lie to your own attorney or most certainly be convicted, and he is a very sharp man who is not easily fooled. Winning a case, like a domestic violence charge, could put him at odds with the Judge, D/A, and perhaps even other attorneys, compromising his ability to manipulate the system and courthouse players in his other cases. If he is uncertain that you are 100% innocent, he will actually become the judge and jury himself and not even attempt to offer a good defense, stealthily leading you down the road to a conviction and taking your money in the process. That's what he believes will be the best thing for his career and his continued success with other cases That being said he seems to be able to do well with DUI, traffic, and perhaps other victim-less cases but I would NOT trust him to defend my freedom or to be truthful with me as his client. How do I know? I WAS his client and this is from first hand experience. He will take your case, take his own sweet time, take your money,. but he will have to be convinced that you are innocent before he stands up for you or uses his trump cards with his cronies at the courthouse, to properly defend your freedom. I'm not saying that you will get better treatment somewhere else, and it is likely that it could be worse, but this is a warning about the way the court house game works and about the way this individual operates. read more

"Ever since the last summer of 2012, when i was arrested for DUI with BAC over 0.12, Matthew has always stood by my side no matter what. I was really nervous and extremely anxious about the outcome, but he always did his best to let me calm and always on time to keep me up to date. My BAC was so high, a really tough one to battle, but Matthew refused to settle for anything less than "dismiss," and much to my delight, he finally made it happen. This tough-ass lawyer fought it to the end for me going all those extra miles. I cannot count how many times he had to be at court just to work it all out with the judge, not to mention DMV officials. Yes, it was my first offense, and when I think back the day I was arrested, it still gives me a shiver and again and again I say to myself, "do not ever drink and drive again, not ever again!" I will keep this promise with myself until the day I die, and that is a swear. Matthew is quite a big guy, and when you first see him, you may get a bit intimidated by his aura (as I did), but when I sat down with him, started explaining my case to him.. I was already feeling like I am not alone not just because he said everything was going to be fine, but more importantly because he was genuinely listening to what I had to say. Yeah, sure I was mumbling throughout the first meeting out of extreme trauma, mental fear and anxiety, and as I was walking out of Matthew's office, I knew my mind was at ease, and miraculously I was able to go on with my life. And, for that I am sincerely grateful to my Attorney Matthew J Ruff. He successfully persuaded the judge to allow me the second chance and the chance to appreciate what "driving privilege" really means. If you have been arrested for DUI in California, You need a good DUI Lawyer, not just any good one, but a tough one. Any lawyer can be good in terms of brain, but I am sure, not every lawyer is as tough and caring as my attorney, Matthew J Ruff. " read more

I started fighting my DUI with a different attorney who, unfortunately, passed away. Matthew Ruff was kind enough to pick up where that good gentleman left off, despite having an already full caseload. While waiting outside the courtroom to speak with him about my case for the first time, I saw another attorney approach him and ask him for advice; that's when I knew I had the right man on my side. When my brothers, (who were also my witnesses), saw him for the first time they joked that he had "lawyer swag". He was very confident and when facing a criminal case you want someone who is confident in their ability. I was ridiculously nervous but he never seemed to be, and that helped put me a little more at ease. When I was at my wits end and just wanted it to be over, I was willing to take the deal that was being offered. He told me he never recommends someone take a deal just because they're frustrated. And I'm so glad that I didn't. When I think back to all of the people I watched stand up in front of the judge, their lawyer beside them, plead guilty or no contest I'm thankful for the fact that I had Matt. He could've let me take the plea so he didn't have to deal with a trial. That could have been me, stuck in 9 months of DUI classes, paying tons of money that I don't have in fines and court fees. Instead, my case didn't even make it to trial because of a motion Mr. Ruff filed that the judge granted, and my case was dismissed. This whole ordeal was one of the worst experiences of my life - I'd never been to court for even a traffic ticket and had now been arrested and spent Christmas day in jail instead of with my children. The stress of wondering what was going to happen and whether or not I would ever be able to get a teaching job once I finished my program was emotionally exhausting. Matt Ruff has my most sincere gratitude for bringing it to an end and restoring my piece of mind. I truly can't thank him enough. read more

"I was up a creek without a paddle, I was facing felony domestic violence charges by my ex wife for something I had no part in, hell I was gone the who day and came home to find the cops at my door accusing me of beating my wife! Like an idiot I tried to talk my way out of it by telling them I've been at work since 4AM, and got home at 9PM. They arrested me anyway, when I got bailed out of jail I immediately started calling around to other attorneys and all of them said the same thing "lets hit a plea bargain" I told every one of them I wasn't going to plead guilty to something I didn't do, and everyone of them said "sorry but its your word versus hers and in California the woman always wins no matter what, it doesn't matter if you did it or not shes accusing you and that's all it takes". Frustrated I called one my friends and asked him if he knew a good attorney he immediately mentioned Ruff. He said it at best by telling me to call him ASAP and he will get the charges dropped, so I did and told him what happened, he told me not to worry and to come by his office ASAP to fill out some paperwork because I had to be arrained in 2 days, I went to his office with a 5K retainer cheque and signed the power of attorney paperwork. He told me to keep my nose clean and wait for him to call, surprisingly the next day Ruff called me and told me I didn't have to go to be arrained because he got the charges dropped and full pardon from the courts. I don't know how to thank him, words can't express what he did for me. He is one bad ass attorney you definitely. want him on your side. I would highly recommend Ruff to anyone." read more

I highly recommend this attorney. He was retained to represented a family member for a Underage DUI which occurred in El Segundo. The officers involved were from there and Hermosa Beach, because it was at a sobriety checkpoint. He took a breath test which was way above the legal limit and was arrested and spent the night in jail. At the time, we thought it would be a good lesson for him but once we realized the consequences it was going to have on his license and record we decided to hire this attorney. Right from the beginning the lawyer laid out his approach to the case and told of his experience in these cases, he really knew what he was talking about. The case went to court and we were kept informed all the way along, he gave us a range of possibilities and likely outcomes which was reassuring. The day of trial he was able to get the charges dropped and got an acquittal of the DUI by presenting legal arguments to exclude the breath test results. He then took that evidence to the DMV and won a return of the drivers license that the officers confiscated on the night of the arrest. In the end, the entire incident was removed from his record. The experience with this attorney was very excellent. The California DMV did follow suit and erase the entire suspension and arrest from the record. Thanks again read more

I had an excellent experience working with criminal defense attorney Matthew J. Ruff. From the very beginning, he was professional, responsive, and clearly knowledgeable about the legal process. He has a calm, steady presence that immediately inspires confidence, which made a stressful situation feel far more manageable. What stood out most was his ability to explain complex legal matters in a clear and straightforward way. He approached my case with careful attention to detail and a thoughtful strategy, making sure I understood my options at every stage. I never felt rushed or overlooked--he was consistently accessible, returned phone calls and text messages in a timely manner, and remained fully engaged throughout the process. Most importantly, he was able to get my case dismissed. He handled everything with a level of skill and professionalism that reflected both experience and sound judgment, and his approach made a meaningful difference in the outcome. I would highly recommend Matthew J. Ruff to anyone in need of a knowledgeable, reliable, and dedicated criminal defense attorney serving the Hermosa Beach, Torrance, and greater Los Angeles areas. His commitment to his clients and his work truly sets him apart. Sincerely, Robin Victoria LaMoure read more

I have hired Matthew Ruff in a number of cases of the past few years and I have to say, I don't know what I would have done without him. His performance and delivery in and out of the courtroom was nothing short of miraculous in my eyes. First of all, the gentleman is well over 6'3 -- his presence is definitely noticed in the courtroom. He knows all the key players in the courtrooms whether that be the DA, the judge, and his twenty years of experience is very noticeable. I had some pretty serious cases and Matthew has managed to help me get them dismissed of squashed down to petty offences. I will never forget one time when he facilitated and mediated a private conversation between the DA and me. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know that many lawyers that have that much pull in the courtroom, When Mr. Ruff walks into the courtroom he is friendly, well mannered, strategic, charismatic and of course greatly influential and convincing, He believes in his clients and he will do whatever it takes to make sure they are properly defended and taken care of. I have a couple of pending cases even today that I have to deal with-- but with Matthew at my side, I am confident it will be resolved in a decent manner. read more

I hired Matthew Ruff in May 2013. I travel frequently for work & at the time of the citation, I had a out-of-state residence, and needed local CA resource that I could depend on while I was away weekly. After retaining his services, we were in constant "Real-Time" Communication for any and all information regarding my case. If we were not able to speak Real-Time, he always provided options for when we could speak, and/or timelines for any deliverables. Throughout the duration of my case, I was not asked to make any court appearances, nor adjusted my work schedule to accommodate any meetings. After a year of Hard Work, and discussions with the DA, Matthew Ruff was able to provide me with THE BEST possible outcome for my case, and provided me with online resources to complete any requirements to satisfy the court after the case closed. To date, I have not had the pleasure of meeting him. I have only corresponded with him via email/phone. I highly recommend his services to anyone! He is dependable, reliable, and most of all capable of great works!! Thank You Matt!!! My Warmest Aloha to you and your family!!! Mahalo Nui Loa! -Daryl read more

I hired Matthew Ruff for a petty-theft misdemeanor I was charged with in late 2014. I was a nervous wreck as this was the first time I had ever been in trouble with the law. I had spoken to several attorneys who were doubtful that they could get my charges reduced based on the evidence presented against me, but Matthew explained to me that he was going to go to bat for me and do everything in his powers to make sure this stayed off my record- and he did. He got my charges dismissed in exchange for community service & behavioral management classes- which I was told by my behavioral management counselor was "a blessing" and "not easy to do." Matthew was always responsive to my calls and emails, and was always able to calm my nerves- something that I could not put a price on when dealing with an awful situation like this. In addition to this, Matthew charged me a very reasonable fee and dealt with all of my court appearances and catered to my busy work schedule. I would absolutely recommend him to anybody out there who is looking for the best resolution for their case. read more

My friend used him in a DUI case they had in Torrance, right off the bat he told me who the prosecutor was in that courtroom and explained the process that the case would go. Other lawyers I spoke with told me things that made me believe they were just trying to get my money, not him. He never once put any pressure on me or tried to sell me on hiring him, my case seemed difficult but after talking to him he made me feel that there was at least a chance and seemed confident that he would try at least to save my license at the DMV. After I slept on it for a few days I made the decision to hire him and let him represent me in court, it was the best decision I ever made. The case took several months but he always kept me informed and updated throughout the process. My review of him was at my own choosing because I felt others should know about my experience and hope that someone can use my story in choosing a lawyer to go with. read more

Matthew is the best lawyer in town. He is very calm and finds ways to have the truth come forth. The prosecutor in my case was adamant about not dropping the case and although it took over a year to finally get the case dropped, he was always reassuring that everything would turn out okay. He is a very respectable lawyer as I had another lawyer personally tell me that I had hired the best lawyer for my case. He makes himself ready available whether it's via email or phone and gets back to you as soon as possible. I'm grateful for all his hard work and I know that if it wasn't for him I would have been wrongly convicted. I can't thank him enough and I hope you choose him to take up your case. He charges the minimal possible and fights your case as if it was his self being convicted. His expertise and professionalism are very evident. As evident by the other people who have posted on here, I highly recommend him as a lawyer. read more

I ended up in jail on a domestic violence charge. I posted the required bail for $50,000. When I got out I called Matthew's law office among a few other law offices. Matthew was immediately available to talk on the phone. We talked and he immediately understood the situation. In the end, the city had insufficient evidence and the DA (district attorney for the city) dropped the charges. I did not even have to show-up in court. Matthew advised me to talk to the DA's office directly to get the dropped case status in writing. I visited the DA's office in the courthouse and was able to get this documentation myself. Matthew did not charge me for his advice. That's right, no charge. If he does not think you need a lawyer he will straight-up tell you rather than try to hit you up for a few thousand dollars when you are at the most vulnerable to unscrupulous lawyers. That's pretty cool. read more

Matthew Ruff was my hired lawyer for a petty theft case in 2011. From the time that i called him - to the final outcome and thereafter, i never had to even enter the courtroom at any point. Not only did he get my case reduced to trespass, he worked through it to get it dismissed and expunged. He provided coaching recommendations throughout the process to get the best outcome. I am writing this review in 2014 because even today when a potential employer asked about the results of the background check etc. Mr Ruff helped clarify and provide information & documentation on the case to the employer to help me get the job and made sure that this incident did not come in the way of it. All in all, i am very grateful and appreciate all that he has done because it has helped my progress towards my career goals without a hitch. Hire him and you will not be sorry. read more

Mathew Ruff is hands down the best attorney. I would refer him to any of friend or family member. He is great, his consultation led to reduction of charges and ultimately clearing my name. I was stressed out when first arrived. Employment in my profession requires a clean record, a misdemeanor could potentially cause the loss of that job. I was relieved during our first meeting, hearing how successful Mathew Ruff has been with cases such as mine during his extensive career as a criminal defense attorney. The best part was the expediency of the whole processes. Sparing my time in court, didn't have to miss work, everything was taken care of within 2 months... I couldn't be happier. Thank you Mr Ruff, you transformed what I thought was a nightmare into a small bump in the road. read more

I hired matthew for a drunk driving charge I got after I left a bar in manhattan beach, the officer gave me a breath test and said I was above the limit and took my license. After speaking with Matthew on the phone for a few minutes I knew he was the right guy to represent me and I retained him over the Internet. He kept me informed of what was happening every step of the way and set up everything to save my license , I got a call a few weeks later that my DUI charges were dismissed and the case was dropped to a lower charge so I did not need to have the breathalyzer put in my car. He got the dmv off my back and saved my license. I have already given his number to a friend that had a similar problem and he will be the person I refer anyone that needs an attorney read more

I called Matthew Ruff the day after I had issues and he returned my call within the same day. He immediately walked me off the metaphorical ledge and told me to let him worry about my case so that I could heal from my car accident. Matt kept in touch throughout the process and I was prepared for my actual day in court. On that day, Matt was able to negotiate a wet reckless despite the fact that I had a high BAC and a major car accident. His skills as an attorney and relationships within the court system make him your BEST CHOICE for an attorney. I will still have to face many of the same penalties and consequences as a normal DUI, but can now continue with my professional licensing and international travel as a result of Matthew Ruff's fine work. Thank You Matthew! read more

As a colleague and fellow attorney, I highly recommend Matthew Ruff. I've known Matt for quite a few years, and he has always displayed the highest degree of knowledge, professionalism and class that is consummate with an experienced trial attorney. Even more importantly, Matt has obtained excellent results for the cases I have referred to him, ranging from DUI cases where he has negotiated strong cases for the prosecution down to non-alcohol related offenses, to aggressively defending cases immediately after an arrest that resulted in no charges being filed. I routinely and proudly recommend clients to Matt, knowing they are in excellent hands. read more