Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Need a San Diego Marijuana Attorney?

January 13, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego marijuana crimes attorney

With different rules for those using pot for medicinal or recreational purposes, California marijuana laws can be very confusing. Meanwhile, possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of marijuana for any reason is still illegal under federal law. To clarify things, San Diego criminal attorney Peter Liss has put together this guide on recreational and medical marijuana […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: marijuana, drug possession, public intoxication, dui with drugs, drug crimes, drug trafficking, diversion programs, drug sales, health and safety, open container laws

Deferred Prosecution Options Through California Diversion Programs in Vista

December 7, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

california criminal diversion programs

Prison and jail overcrowding has resulted in California being open to many alternatives to traditional forms of criminal punishment. One increasingly common alternative is “diversion,” a program that allows those accused of crimes to avoid criminal conviction if they meet the terms outlined in their agreement with the court. What is a Pre-Trial Diversion Program? […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DRUG OFFENSES, JUVENILE CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES, SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, probation, alternative sentencing, diversion programs, penalties

You Won’t Believe These Famous DUI Cases

June 19, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

SR22 Insurance for DUI in california

Drunk driving is one of the most commonly committed crimes in America, and celebrities are just as likely to drive under the influence as the general populace. While you may feel all alone when you have been charged with a DUI, remember that many people (including some of the most famous people in the world) […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, DRUG OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: dui, drug possession, dui with drugs, celebrities, community service, prescription drugs, high bac

What is Work Furlough in San Diego County?

March 22, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

work furlough programs in san diego

To help minimize the populations of prisons and jails, state and county lawmakers have developed many alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. One such program in California is the San Diego County Probation Department’s “Work Furlough (WF) and Residential Re-entry Center (RRC)” program, which allows inmates an opportunity to work and apply for jobs before they are […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: misdemeanors, alternative sentencing, jail, incarceration, penalties

Driving Under The Influence of Drugs in California

July 11, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Driving Under The Influence of Drugs in California

  Because many people have only heard about drunk driving, they do not think that driving while high is as serious of a crime. But driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is dangerous for precisely the same reason, as these substances impair your judgment and reaction time. For this reason, you can face charges […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: dui, marijuana, dui with drugs, drug crimes, defenses, penalties, driving, drivers license

186.10 (PC): Money Laundering in California

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

Vista fraud lawyer

It’s pretty obvious that someone is getting income in a questionable manner when they start buying new cars, expensive tech, and luxury goods that should be totally out of their budget. Money laundering allows people to make illicitly earned funds appear to come from legitimate income sources so the money can be spent without raising […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, DRUG OFFENSES, FEDERAL CRIMES Tagged With: fraud, white collar, money laundering, drug crimes

Understanding California Statutes of Limitations Laws

May 16, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

It makes sense that someone could be charged with murder 30 years after the victim dies, but it wouldn’t be fair for someone to be accused of shoplifting that many years later. The statute of limitations is a legal way to ensure that those who committed heinous acts can be held responsible for their actions […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, DRUG OFFENSES, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, FAQs, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: statute of limitations, california laws, defenses, better understanding the law, court, court motions

California Search and Seizure Laws

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

search and seizure laws california

For you to be charged with a crime, police must find enough evidence to indicate your guilt. For the charges to result in a conviction, the evidence must be strong enough to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the California and US Constitutions protect citizens from illegal and unreasonable search and seizure, police […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, Traffic Stops, DRUG OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police investigations, evidence, probable cause, defenses, better understanding the law, us constitution, search and seizure

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

Can You Get a DUI for Driving While High in California?

November 7, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

cheek swab dui in san diego

While recreational marijuana may be legal in California, driving under the influence of cannabis is still a crime. While most people associate DUIs with alcohol use, California Vehicle Code 23152(f) (VC) allows people to be charged with this crime after driving under the influence of any controlled substance, including marijuana. Even if you have a […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: dui, breathalyzers, marijuana, dui with drugs, dui tests, dmv, bac, driving

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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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  • DRUG OFFENSES
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    • Gang Crimes
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    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
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    • Sharing Obscene Materials
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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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