Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Is Jareth, The Goblin King, Guilty of More Than Just Kidnapping?

May 5, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

why did jareth want the baby

The villain of The Labyrinth, played by David Bowie, is one of the most charming bad guys in any fantasy film, even though he kidnaps a baby in a strange attempt to seduce a 15-year-old. But while being charismatic is a great thing, it’s not enough to change the fact that Jareth committed some pretty […]

Filed Under: Sex Crimes Involving Children, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES, FEDERAL CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: movies, fictional, kidnapping

Can You be Arrested for a Confession Made at AA?

April 17, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is AA protected like a religious confessional?

The Alcoholics Anonymous (and similar Narcotics Anonymous —NA) recovery process requires you to be open and honest about your past and to admit wrongs you made while under the influence. But is a confession made at Alcoholics Anonymous legally protected like those made to priests? The answer is complicated. Here’s what a defense attorney believes […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, alcohol, drug crimes, drug addiction, confidentiality, privileged communications, therapists, confessions, better understanding the law

Is a Broken Tail Light Illegal?

March 17, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is driving with a broken tail light illegal?

At one point or another, just about everyone has driven with a cracked tail light cover or a broken brake light. Generally, police won’t stop you for these infractions, but if they do, the infraction alone isn’t enough to justify a police search or a breathalyzer. Unfortunately, police still often use these types of minor […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, better understanding the law, search and seizure, infractions, pretext traffic stops

A Small List of the Many, Many Crimes Committed By the Gang in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

February 24, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The entire charm of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia relies on watching terrible people do terrible things, but with all the things the gang has done, it’s a minor miracle any of them are still free to walk the streets. Here are a small handful of crimes the gang has committed, along with their potential […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Assault and Battery, DRUG OFFENSES, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, THEFT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: dui, battery, robbery, theft, burglary, vandalism, fraud, sex crimes, prostitution, arson, rioting, pimping and pandering, tv shows, false impersonation, kidnapping

When to Call a Trespassing Lawyer in Vista

February 13, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

trespassing attorney

Basic trespassing, filed under California Penal Code 602 (PC), involves entering someone’s property without permission or a right to do so. This offense is usually only charged as an infraction or misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or jail sentence. On the other hand, aggravated trespassing, filed under California Penal Code section 601 (PC), is a […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, domestic violence, burglary, harassment, stalking, infractions, aggravated trespassing, trespassing, wobblers

Surprising Things Police Can Do Without A Warrant

February 6, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

do police need a warrant to search social media profiles

The Constitution may protect you from unreasonable search and seizure, but many people have no idea how complex search warrant laws are. For example, the police cannot search your cell phone without a warrant, but they can search your car without a warrant if they have “reasonable suspicion.” In fact, they can do many things […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police, police interrogations, police investigations, social media, warrants, search and seizure, dna

Fighting Charges If You Were Forced to Commit a Crime

February 3, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

what happens if you are forced to commit a crime

  Many consider themselves to be reasonable people who would never break the law aside from maybe driving a little too fast on the freeway. But if someone coerces them to do a criminal act by threatening their life or the lives of their family members, they may be willing to do just about anything […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: assault, battery, robbery, defense of others, intent, defenses, self defense, armed robbery, duress, medical conditions

Is Spitting on Someone a Crime in California?

January 13, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it illegal to spit in someone's food?

Spitting in someone’s face is one of the greatest insults you can make without saying a word. It also can quickly escalate a verbal argument into a physical one and cause someone to get seriously ill, which is why spitting on or at someone is a crime. Similarly, if a restaurant worker or anyone else […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Assault and Battery, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: assault, battery, felonies, vandalism, medical conditions, criminal threats, food

Refusing to Speak to the Police is Not Obstruction of Justice

January 6, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

refusing to talk to the police and obstruction of justice

If you watch police dramas, you’ve almost certainly seen one of the cop characters threaten someone by telling them that if they don’t cooperate with an investigation, they’ll be charged with obstruction of justice. But refusing to talk to the police isn’t just your right, it’s also your best course of action when being questioned […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, obstruction of justice, lying, legal myths, faqs

What Happens to Your Dog When You Get Arrested in Vista?

January 2, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

What Happens to Your Dog When You Get Arrested?

Close to half of all American households have a dog, and many of those dog owners are single, so what happens to a person’s dog when they go to jail or are arrested? As it turns out, that question can be rather complex and depends on where you live, where you were arrested, and more. […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: prison, jail, better understanding the law, after the arrest, incarceration, pets, dogs

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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
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    • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
  • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
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    • Identity Theft
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    • Robbery
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    • Drug DUI
    • Trafficking
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    • 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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  • 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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