Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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California’s Tiered Sex Offender Registry Laws

January 16, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

failure to register as a sex offender in california

Being convicted of a sex crime in nature can be devastating. These offenses can destroy your reputation. Beyond that, even after you have served your time, you will still be subject to the California sex offender registry. Not all sex offenses involve mandatory registration under California Penal Code section 290 (PC). However, many people on […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, sex offenders, california laws, child molestation, megans law, rape

The Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault Crimes in California

October 26, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Statute of Limitations on Sexual Assault

The statute of limitations is how long prosecutors can take to file charges against someone who has committed a crime. In most cases, this deadline is based on the date the crime occurred, but it sometimes can be based on when the victim discovered that a crime occurred —in the event of a forgery, for […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, statute of limitations, statutory rape, police investigations, rape

What is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?

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

crimes of moral turpitude california

Under both state and federal law, some offenses are considered “crimes of moral turpitude,” meaning they involve serious dishonesty, fraud, or something morally reprehensible. While the term may sound old-fashioned and outdated, it is still very relevant when it comes to the law, as it can result in additional post-conviction consequences. Unfortunately, what crimes fall […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Fraud Charges, Assault and Battery, Rape, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, SEX OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: domestic violence, theft, fraud, sex crimes, white collar, violent crimes, better understanding the law, moral turpitude, professionals

What Can be Used in Court as Physical Evidence of Rape?

September 5, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

physical Evidence Used in A Rape Case

Forensic science is best known for solving murders, but forensics can also be used during a rape examination to collect proof that a sexual assault occurred. These examinations reveal evidence, including DNA samples, fiber fragments, fingerprints, and more.  But just because the rape kit indicates that sexual intercourse occurred between two people doesn’t always mean […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, sex offenders, police investigations, forensic science, evidence, megans law, rape, dna

Human Trafficking Laws in California: 236.1 (PC)

September 4, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Shredded papers stating "human trafficking' and other words

Human trafficking is the legal name for slavery, but these laws aren’t limited to only involuntary servitude but also include forced sexual encounters. In fact, if you break California’s pimping and pandering laws and the prostitute in question is a minor, you could also be charged with violating human trafficking laws in California under Penal […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sharing Obscene Materials, Gang Crimes, Assault and Battery, Rape, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Sex Crimes Involving Children, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: felonies, sex crimes, prostitution, pimping and pandering, kidnapping, penalties, human trafficking

San Diego Unlawful Sodomy Attorney

June 2, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

oceanside sex crimes lawyer

Sodomy is essentially a fancy name for anal sex. While consensual sodomy is legal, when one party does not consent, it is a crime under California Penal Code 286 (PC). The consequences for forceful sodomy or the sodomy of a child are similar to those for forceful oral copulation, rape with a foreign object, and […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: felonies, sex crimes, defenses, rape, penalties

CA Penal Code 289 (PC): Forcible Sexual Penetration With a Foreign Object

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

difficulty of rape convictions

In California, forced sex charges aren’t limited to acts involving rape with a penis. They can also include acts of oral copulation by force or fear or an act of non-consensual sexual penetration with an object, including another body part. Forcible penetration with a foreign object is a sex crime under California Penal Code section 289 (PC), and the offense carries serious criminal […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, sex offenders, defenses, rape, penalties

When is Someone Too Physically or Mentally Incapacitated to Consent?

March 13, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Disabilities and Rape

Under California law, rape doesn’t require the victim to say “no.” Instead, sexual assault occurs whenever a person has sex with someone who does not consent. In some cases, like those involving statutory rape, the other party may not even be able to legally agree to have sexual intercourse—even if they say “yes.” This policy […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, elder abuse, defenses, rape, consent, disabilities

A New California Law Has Made Stealthing Illegal

October 17, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

stealthing under california law

A new law will add the act of “stealthing” to the California civil code, but not the criminal code. Here’s what that means for the victims and the accused party.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, sex offenders, rape, consent, sex, penalties

The Crime of Sexual Extortion in Vista, California

July 2, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

sextortion charges california

Sexual extortion, often called “sextortion,” could technically involve all types of exploitation, but the acts covered by California law involve blackmailing someone by threatening to release their nude or otherwise sexually explicit images or videos. It doesn’t matter if the blackmail is an attempt to extort money, sexual favors, or any other type of property; […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sharing Obscene Materials, Computer Crimes, Rape, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, sex offenders, extortion, technology, social media, child pornography, revenge porn, rape, Cell phones, sex

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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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    • Drug DUI
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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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