Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
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    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
      • Weapons Charges
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      • Fraud Charges
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When is Someone Too Physically or Mentally Incapacitated to Consent?

March 13, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Disabilities and Rape

Under California law, rape doesn’t require the victim to say “no.” Instead, sexual assault occurs whenever a person has sex with someone who does not consent. In some cases, like those involving statutory rape, the other party may not even be able to legally agree to have sexual intercourse—even if they say “yes.” This policy […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, elder abuse, defenses, rape, consent, disabilities

How Does Lawyer/Client Confidentiality Work?

March 8, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

lawyer confidentiality

You have probably heard of attorney/client confidentiality, but you probably don’t know what that entails unless you’re a lawyer. While communications between a lawyer and a client are considered privileged, there are exceptions where the attorney may willingly disclose this information without any repercussions.  If an attorney breaks confidentiality outside of these circumstances, they risk […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, california laws, confidentiality, privileged communications, better understanding the law, attorneys

Public Intoxication Charges: 647(f) (PC)

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

647(F) (PC)

Being drunk in public in California isn’t technically illegal and can sometimes be a bit enjoyable as long as it doesn’t involve driving, biking, or boating under the influence. Just walking in public after drinking a beer or two isn’t enough to get you charged with this crime, and neither is drinking a beer in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: alcohol, misdemeanors, drunk in public, public intoxication, minor in possession

Possession of a Firearm and Drugs in California

March 6, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

possession of a firearm and drugs in california

Some drugs cause paranoia, and dealing and purchasing drugs can sometimes be dangerous. With these things in mind, it’s not surprising that many people who are arrested with drugs also carry weapons. Unfortunately, just carrying a gun and any amount of certain drugs is a criminal act in itself. Here’s what you should know about California’s possession of […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DRUG OFFENSES, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges Tagged With: felonies, drug possession, california laws, drug crimes, drug trafficking, firearm possession, firearms, drug sales, penalties, weapons

What Rights do Felons Lose in California?

March 2, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

3 strikes law

Felons in California are subject to many penalties, even after they serve their time and pay off their criminal fines. The good news is that California does not restrict the constitutional rights of felons nearly as much as other states. Unfortunately, the state still does have many restrictions on what felons are not able to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, FAQs, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, felonies, firearm possession, gun laws, better understanding the law, penalties

Service Animal Fraud in California

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

service dog fraud california

Thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act, persons with service animals can bring their trained companion animals wherever they go, including restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and other places where pets are prohibited. But some people falsely claim their pet is a service animal, so they can take the creature wherever they go or live in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: fraud, white collar, california laws, animals, pets, health and safety, disabilities

Is Lying to the Police a Felony in California?

February 14, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

lying to the police

You can’t be charged with obstruction of justice if you refuse to speak with the police, no matter how many police procedurals say otherwise. But while you have the right to remain silent (as long as you do it right by properly invoking your Fifth Amendment rights) and to have a lawyer present when you […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: right to silence, felonies, misdemeanors, aiding and abetting, california laws, police interrogations, police investigations, evidence, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, perjury, accessory after the fact

Invoking Your Right to Remain Silent

February 4, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

admission by silence

Anyone familiar with the US Constitution knows that the Fifth Amendment protects citizens against self-incrimination. However, most people don’t know that the Supreme Court has ruled that your silence can be incriminating if you do not directly state that you are using this constitutional right. Failing to invoke your rights while staying quiet is considered […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, police interrogations, police investigations, supreme court, better understanding the law, us constitution, miranda rights

Civil Asset Forfeiture in California

February 3, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

refusing to talk to the police and obstruction of justice

When someone is accused of a crime, they will typically be arrested and charged in court. Strangely, if any physical property is believed to be tied in with the crime, it too may end up heading to the police station under the asset forfeiture laws of California. This strange process has its roots in English […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, california laws, money, civil asset forfeiture, police investigations, better understanding the law, search and seizure, criminal justice reforms

Who Are The Worst Fictional Lawyers of All Time?

February 2, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The Worst Fictional Lawyers of All Time

Always do your research when looking for the right defense lawyer because you don’t want to end up with someone inexperienced. Still, even the average not-so-great real-life attorney will have nothing on these famous bad lawyers. If they were real rather than just existing in TV shows, these lawyers wouldn’t just be the worst —they […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: comic books, tv shows, superheroes, how courts work, fictional, court, lying, attorneys, court motions

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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

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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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