Police can stop motorists for many reasons, including minor issues such as not using a turn signal, having a broken tail light, having window tinting on your windows, or similar issues. These stops for small infractions are considered “pretextual” stops because police usually use these issues as a pretext to hopefully find evidence of some […]
What Are the Immigration Consequences for a California DUI?
For non-citizens, criminal charges carry additional stress because the defendant will often stress about whether or not a conviction will affect his or her immigration status. In fact, the first question non-citizens typically ask their DUI attorney is “will this subject me to deportation?” The good news is that generally, a simple drunk driving conviction […]
Applying for a Certificate of Rehabilitation in San Diego, California
If you have been convicted of a felony or certain sex offenses, a California certificate of rehabilitation might be beneficial in helping you move past the conviction so you can get on with your life. Aside from making it easier for you to apply for jobs and professional licenses, getting a certificate of rehabilitation serves […]
The Most Common Crimes Committed On Social Media
For all the good social media has done in helping to connect people, it has also helped people commit crimes in a number of ways. While the most obvious recent example was the planning far-right agitators did before storming the capitol, there are many other ways social media can be used for criminal acts. Here […]
Vista Attorney Peter Liss Earns Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Award
There are many awards and titles an attorney can earn, but one of the most celebrated is the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, which Vista Attorney Peter M. Liss proudly received in early January of 2021. Only 10 percent of attorneys ever achieve this prestigious rating that signifies a lawyer executes the highest possible […]
Pregnancy and Birth in California Jails and Prisons
Just because a woman is convicted of a crime doesn’t mean her reproductive system suddenly shuts down. And in fact, many women end up behind bars while pregnant. What happens next will vary depending on the specific circumstances and wishes of the mother-to-be, but one thing that’s always true is that California provides a much […]
Maybe Rabbits Shouldn’t Be Police Officers in the World of Zootopia
The world of Zootopia is an inspirational tale about overcoming prejudice and stereotypes to make a better, more inclusive world. But when the protagonist is the city’s first bunny police officer, who happens to break the law and put the public at risk more often than not, it undermines the positive message she should be […]
If You Return Someone’s Property, Can You Avoid Criminal Charges?
As a child, everyone learns that borrowing without asking and borrowing without returning an item are both considered stealing the item from the owner. But from a legal perspective, things aren’t so clear cut. That’s because California’s theft laws require someone to intend to either permanently take an item or at least take it long […]
All About Manslaughter Under California Penal Code Section 192 (PC)
In most people’s minds, the distinction between manslaughter and murder charges is whether or not the killing was intentional or not. But in the legal system, things aren’t so simple as that. In fact, while involuntary manslaughter is usually a result of an accidental death that was caused by recklessness or criminally negligent behavior, voluntary […]
Disturbing the Peace in Vista: California Penal Code Section 415 (PC)
When people talk about disorderly conduct, if they’re in California, the behavior they are describing is actually considered disturbing the peace. There are three types of behaviors covered by California Penal Code 415 (PC), these include playing excessively loud music, getting in a fight in public, or even using certain words. While these crimes may […]
