Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
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    • Hit and Run Accidents
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    • Reckless Driving
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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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It is Not Illegal to Wear a Mask in Public in California

April 24, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it illegal to wear a mask in public in california

Maybe it’s because of Hollywood or perhaps it’s just because California loves Halloween more than other states, but our state’s mask laws are pretty relaxed overall. In fact, whereas some states make it illegal for people over 16 to wear masks and others ban their use outside of October, wearing a mask is legal for […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DRIVING OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: driving, holidays, evidence, identity theft, california laws, Halloween

Can I Legally Drive Barefoot?

April 22, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

barefoot driving isn't reckless

For some reason, it seems everyone has heard that it is illegal to drive barefoot. Sometimes, the person spreading these rumors claims it’s an infraction. Other times, they may even say it’s a misdemeanor under the state’s reckless driving laws. But if you’re hoping you can go shoeless behind the wheel, go ahead and slip off your […]

Filed Under: DRIVING OFFENSES, Traffic Stops Tagged With: driving, faqs, legal myths, better understanding the law, reckless driving

Defenses and Sentences for Hate Crimes In California

April 19, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego hate crime defense attorney

People commit crimes for many reasons, but jurors are usually more sympathetic when an offense was performed out of desperation or a result of a personal conflict rather than due to biased, hateful beliefs. To help protect the civil rights of individuals and punish those who victimize others based on prejudice, California has enacted many […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, enhancements, penalties, firearms, defenses, violent crimes, hate crimes

Can Teachers Carry Guns on Campus in California?

April 18, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

are teachers allowed to be armed in california?

School shootings have become a sad reality in our current world. While some people argue the solution lies in creating more gun laws to prohibit potential mass murderers from gaining access to these weapons, others believe we should instead ensure more “good guys,” such as teachers, have firearms so potential killers can be stopped before […]

Filed Under: VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges Tagged With: firearms, weapons, politics, better understanding the law, california laws

Bestiality is Illegal in California, But Zoophilia Porn is Legal

April 12, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is bestiality legal in california?

One of the law’s most important purposes is to protect those who cannot defend themselves, including animals. For this reason, sex with animals is illegal since these creatures cannot consent to the act. The act of bestiality (frequently misspelled as “beastiality” or even “beastly”), sometimes called zoophilia, zoo porn, or animal porn, is illegal in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Animal Abuse, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: pornography, computer crimes, animal abuse, sex offenders, sex crimes

You Can Get a DUI on a Horse in California

April 10, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

riding a horse under the influence

Under California DUI laws, anything self-propelled can be considered a vehicle. Under Vehicle Code section 21050 (VC), anyone riding or driving on an animal on public property is subject to the same laws as those operating a motor vehicle. In other words, these two laws make it illegal to ride a horse or operate a […]

Filed Under: Animal Abuse, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: driving, vehicles under california law, animal abuse, public intoxication, dui

CA Penal Code 289 (PC): Forcible Sexual Penetration With a Foreign Object

April 7, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

difficulty of rape convictions

In California, forced sex charges aren’t limited to acts involving rape with a penis. They can also include acts of oral copulation by force or fear or an act of non-consensual sexual penetration with an object, including another body part. Forcible penetration with a foreign object is a sex crime under California Penal Code section 289 (PC), and the offense carries serious criminal […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex offenders, sex crimes, defenses, penalties, rape

How are Plea Bargains Made?

March 29, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

plea bargain lawyers in san diego

Everyone has heard the term “plea bargain,” but far fewer could give you the definition or tell you what different types of plea agreements exist. Interestingly, while the average person knows far more about criminal trials, most cases in America are settled through plea bargains. Nationwide, the Department of Justice reports that between 90 and […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, LEGAL PROCEDURES, SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES Tagged With: wet reckless, alternative sentencing, plea bargains, defenses, better understanding the law

What Happens to Your Stuff When You go to Prison?

March 28, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

felony consequences in california

  When you’re incarcerated, you are stuck behind bars and unable to access your bank accounts or pay bills. So what happens to your house and personal belongings when you go to jail? That’s actually a common question many clients ask their criminal lawyer. Unfortunately, the answer is sadly complex, which is one of the […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: penalties, jail, prison, money, California criminal process

What are the Best Criminal Defenses in CA?

March 28, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Criminal Defense Strategies

If you are charged with a crime, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, you and your criminal defense attorney will need to present a defense to show the prosecutor does not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. To do this, you and your criminal lawyer […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: false allegations, witness accounts, statute of limitations, evidence, probable cause, confessions, insanity defense, intent, defenses, self defense, better understanding the law, duress, consent, entrapment

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Call Today, I Can Help You

criminal justice attorney Peter M. Liss

The Experience You Need

I have been practicing law for over 40 years, and opened my own law firm in 1998, after serving as Assistant Supervising Public Defender for the Vista Public Defender’s Office. I have successfully defended hundreds of cases in my career, fighting charges ranging from drunk driving to capital murder.

Two Easy-to-Find Offices

My Vista offices are located just off the 78 freeway, directly across the street from the local courthouse and jail facility. For those further south, I have another office in Carmel Valley, off the 5 freeway and highway 56. Both offices offer free parking.

Call (760) 643-4050 Now

You can call my offices any time of day, every day to speak with a live person who can help you schedule a free initial consultation. If you have any questions, I return my calls promptly and courteously.

My Guarantee to You

I ensure all clients receive top quality representation at affordable rates and I accept all major credit cards. Hablamos Español.

I’m available, let’s talk

My Practice Areas

I handle all types of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in San Diego County, including:

  • Driving Under the Influence
    • DMV DUI License Hearings
  • Domestic Violence
    • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
  • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • White Collar Crimes
    • Fraud Cases
    • Identity Theft
    • Computer Crimes
    • Theft Crimes
    • Petty Theft
    • Grand Theft
    • Shoplifting
    • Robbery
  • Drug Charges
    • Drug DUI
    • Trafficking
  • Violent Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Assault
    • Homicide
    • Hate Crimes
    • Gang Crimes
    • Three Strikes Law
  • Criminal Traffic Offenses
    • Driving on a Suspended License
    • Hit and Run accidents
    • Reckless Driving
    • Vehicular Homicide
  • Juvenile Crime Defense
    • Truancy
    • Vandalism
    • Minor in Possession

Categories

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    • Animal Abuse
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    • Homicide
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vista crimminal law logo
  • Attorney Peter M. Liss
  • (760) 643-4050
  • 380 S Melrose Drive #301 Vista, CA 92081

Copyright 2003, 2024 Peter M. Liss, Esq. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


About the Legal Information on This Website

I rely on my experience as a top defense lawyer in my area to personally review all information on this site; however the information offered here should not substitute as legal advice. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Vista, please contact a qualified criminal defense attorney.

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