Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Juvenile Offenses
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Will Your Car be Impounded After a DUI in Vista, California?

March 17, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

What Will Happen to Your Car After a DUI Arrest

When you’re arrested for drunk driving, the police aren’t about to let you get back in the vehicle and drive it back to the station. So what happens to your car after a DUI arrest? Well, that depends on a few things, but when you are arrested for driving under the influence, your vehicle could […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: penalties, driving, sentencing, after the arrest, dui

Can Gum Throw Off a Breathalyzer?

October 23, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

gingivitis dui

There are a lot of rumors about how gum may affect breathalyzer test results. Some people think chewing it before providing a breath test will help cover the odor of the alcohol, helping to lower their BAC. Others believe that the artificial sugars in gum contain alcohol and will, therefore, cause them to appear drunk, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: dui tests, food, high bac, bac, breathalyzers, alcohol, dui

Is a 911 Call Probable Cause? What if it’s Anonymous?

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

Police Spying on Phone Calls

On any given Friday or Saturday night, you might see signs on the side of the freeway advising drivers to report anyone they suspect of drunk driving to 911. But is this kind of tip really enough to serve as probable cause, allowing an officer to pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving? And […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: dui, technology, reasonable suspicion, 911, Cell phones, defenses, probable cause, traffic stops

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

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: reckless driving, better understanding the law, legal myths, driving, faqs

What Happens to the Passengers in a DUI in Vista?

March 31, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Passengers in a DUI

Many people pulled over for drunk driving aren’t alone in the car. While most people aren’t surprised to learn that a driver can face additional charges if the passengers are minors, they are often surprised to discover that adult passengers of a drunk driver in Vista can sometimes complicate DUI arrest investigations and may even […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: open container laws, driving, better understanding the law, evidence, witness accounts, alcohol, dui

Putting an End to Police Pretext Stops in Vista and San Diego

March 1, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

stopping police pretext stops

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 […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, Traffic Stops Tagged With: criminal justice reforms, pretext traffic stops, infractions, search and seizure, traffic stops, know your rights

Are DUI Sobriety Checkpoints Legal in Vista, California?

August 27, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

fighting dui checkpoint arrests in San Diego

If you have been charged with drunk driving after going through a DUI checkpoint, I can help you fight the charges.

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: dui with drugs, traffic stops, probable cause, driving, police, know your rights, dui

Is it Legal for Minors to Buy Kombucha and Drive?

June 1, 2018 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is kombucha legal for minors to drink before driving?

Kombucha is a lightly fermented drink that has recently become trendy for its health benefits. But because the beverage is fermented, could it be safely consumed by a teenager, and if so, could they drink it before driving a vehicle? While it may be ok to consume due to its low alcohol content, attorney Peter […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: zero tolerance, minor in possession, juvenile crimes, alcohol, dui, juvenile drinking laws

All About California Dash Cam Laws

May 28, 2018 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

california dash cam laws

Under California law, dash cams are legal, but the state does place some restrictions on the devices. Whether or not you would benefit by installing such a device in your vehicle is a personal question that depends on how you drive and what situations you are likely to find yourself in. In some cases, the […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DRIVING OFFENSES, Traffic Stops Tagged With: driving, know your rights, police, right to privacy, accidents, evidence, wiretapping

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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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    • Homicide
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    • Rape
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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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