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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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

Is it a Crime to Doorbell/Ding Dong Ditch?

November 20, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is ding dong/doorbell ditching a crime?

Ding dong ditching, or as many people in San Diego call it, “doorbell ditching,” involves ringing people’s doorbells and running away before they answer. The game is nothing new, dating back at least to the 1800s, when it was called “ring and run,” “knock, knock, ginger,” “knock door run,” “Knicky nine doors,” and “knocky door […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: juvenile crimes, restraining orders, harassment, disorderly conduct, social media, self defense, disturbing the peace, trespassing

Do You Need a Lawyer for an Open Container Law in California?

November 11, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

open container laws california

There’s a time and a place for everything. While there’s nothing wrong with cracking open a cold bottle of beer after work, it is a problem if you’re still in your car. California Vehicle law sections 23221-23229 (VC) set specific conditions for when an individual can or cannot drive with an open alcoholic beverage or […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: dui, misdemeanors, marijuana, dui with drugs, minor in possession, infractions, driving, zero tolerance, open container laws

Minor In Possession of Alcohol Attorney In San Diego, California

October 3, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

minor in possession

In California, being under the legal drinking age doesn’t just prohibit you from consuming alcohol; it also prevents you from possessing it in any public place. Minors convicted of this crime face misdemeanor charges, but the offense is only punishable with a fine or community service, so teens convicted for this crime cannot be sentenced to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: alcohol, misdemeanors, drunk in public, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, diversion programs, minor in possession, business and professions code, juvenile drinking laws, zero tolerance, open container laws

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 You Should Know About Gun Storage Laws in CA

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

california's gun storage laws

Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, there’s no denying that guns can and do kill people. To minimize the dangers of children and those prohibited from using firearms accessing these dangerous weapons, California has enacted many laws specifying how they should be stored and transported. The City of San Diego has even passed a […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, violent crimes, gun laws, firearms, weapons, wobblers

Top San Diego, California Arson Attorney

September 12, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

san diego arson attorneys

California has one of the longest wildfire seasons in the country, and it continues to get longer every year, which is why the state also has some of the strictest arson laws in the nation. Those convicted of this crime can even be subjected to a statewide arson registry similar to that used to track […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: felonies, fraud, violent crimes, arson, negligence, insurance

Juvenile DUI Laws in California

August 25, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego underage DUI lawyer

When it comes to juvenile DUI laws, California has some of the strictest laws in the country. Under the state’s Zero Tolerance policy, detailed under the state Vehicle Code section 23136 (VC), minors can be arrested and charged with drunk driving if they have even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system. If you […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: dui, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, dui with drugs, dmv, bac, infractions, penalties, driving, zero tolerance, drivers license, open container laws

What to Know About California Vandalism Laws

July 18, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Vista vandalism lawyer

Vandalism and graffiti are crimes nearly everyone has committed at one point or another —whether it involves scratching your initials into a desk in high school, doodling on a bus poster, or something more drastic like spray painting your name across a wall. But just because these acts are common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, vandalism, defenses, property damage

What Interrogation Techniques do Police Use?

December 23, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

police interrogation tactics

When you are accused of a crime, the police will often work on coaxing you to confess —even if you didn’t actually do it. To do this, police officers rely on several tried and true interview techniques, such as the well-known good cop/bad cop technique. While a skilled criminal defense attorney may be able to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, police interrogations, police investigations, confessions, lying, miranda rights

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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
    • Animal Abuse
    • 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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