Crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Dexter, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds have allowed the public to explore the work of forensic science labs. The only problem? What makes for good television doesn’t reflect the realities of crime scene investigation units. Many investigation techniques seen on screen are exaggerated or outright fabricated. Unfortunately, many jurors […]
Can You Be Forced to Testify Against Your Spouse?
Many people understand that spouses can’t be forced to testify against one another, but the ins and outs of marital privilege are a bit complex. Since we’ve previously discussed how privileged communications work between lawyers and clients, patients and therapists, doctors and patients, and priests and worshipers, it seems only appropriate to discuss the marital […]
Is an IP Address Enough to Convict Someone of a Crime?
As the internet has become a standard part of our lives, judges have tried to figure out how our existing laws and precedents apply in the digital age. The courts must balance law enforcement’s need to investigate crimes with the Constitution’s protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Similarly, they must balance the government’s interest in […]
What Does it Mean to Instruct Jurors in a Trial?
Jury instructions can dramatically impact a criminal case because they tell the jury how they should apply the law to determine whether the facts indicate that the defendant committed a given crime.
What are the Laws Regarding Warrants and Cell Phone Searches?
There was a time when cell phones simply stored phone numbers and records of when calls took place, but a modern cell phone can now provide police with banking records, photos, email conversations, texts, internet search histories, a person’s location history and more. This is why the United States Supreme Court has been ruling on […]
What to Do (and Not Do) During an Arrest
Protecting your rights starts from the first time you speak with a police officer, which is why it’s important to remain silent when you’re being placed under arrest.
Vista Lawyer Peter M. Liss: A Trusted Source for News Reporters
Reporters reach out to Peter M. Liss on a variety of topics because they know he is a respected source with an excellent understanding of the California criminal justice system.
What’s the Difference Between Different Types of Attorneys?
Have a hard time differentiating between prosecutors, defense lawyers, public defenders and judges? Here’s what you should know before you head into court.
Fighting Evidence from Police Informants
Police often rely on outside tips to solve crimes. Occasionally, they even incentivize people who have been accused of crimes to share information they have about other criminals. While the theory is that those in the criminal underworld are likely to get closer to other criminals and, thus, have more information about their illegal acts, […]
Are Lawyers Allowed to Lie on Behalf of Their Clients?
There are probably hundreds of jokes about lawyers lying for a living, but no matter what public opinion, legal standards prohibit attorneys from knowingly telling a lie. If a lawyer lies, he is risking his law license. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct specifically says that while they must do what […]
