Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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  • DUI / Felony DUI
    • Vista DUI Attorney
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    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Molestation
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  • Traffic Offenses
    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
    • Violent Crime
      • The Three Strikes Law
      • Weapons Charges
    • Theft Defense
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Is Spitting on Someone a Crime in California?

January 13, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it illegal to spit in someone's food?

Spitting in someone’s face is one of the greatest insults you can make without saying a word. It also can quickly escalate a verbal argument into a physical one and cause someone to get seriously ill, which is why spitting on or at someone is a crime. Similarly, if a restaurant worker or anyone else […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Assault and Battery, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: criminal threats, medical conditions, vandalism, felonies, battery, assault, food

Refusing to Speak to the Police is Not Obstruction of Justice

January 6, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

refusing to talk to the police and obstruction of justice

If you watch police dramas, you’ve almost certainly seen one of the cop characters threaten someone by telling them that if they don’t cooperate with an investigation, they’ll be charged with obstruction of justice. But refusing to talk to the police isn’t just your right, it’s also your best course of action when being questioned […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: faqs, legal myths, lying, obstruction of justice, right to silence, know your rights

What Happens to Your Dog When You Get Arrested in Vista?

January 2, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

What Happens to Your Dog When You Get Arrested?

Close to half of all American households have a dog, and many of those dog owners are single, so what happens to a person’s dog when they go to jail or are arrested? As it turns out, that question can be rather complex and depends on where you live, where you were arrested, and more. […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: after the arrest, dogs, pets, incarceration, better understanding the law, jail, prison

Can a Diary be Used as Evidence? Are Diaries Admissible in Court?

November 4, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

when are diaries used as evidence in court

Diaries and journals can be written for many reasons, but one thing most of these writers have in common is the expectation that their private thoughts and observations will be kept confidential. Unfortunately, the US legal system doesn’t hold diaries as a protected source of speech that can’t be used against their writer later on. […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: inadmissible evidence, court, search and seizure, better understanding the law, evidence, California criminal process, know your rights

Could Jaime and Cersei Lannister be Together if They Lived in California?

September 30, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

 If you watch Game of Thrones, you’re almost certainly already familiar with the incestuous relationship between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. While almost everyone will agree that a sister and brother maintaining a sexual relationship is more than a little gross, you might not know that it’s also illegal in California. Here’s what Jaime and […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, SEX OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: consent, fictional, statutory rape, sex offenders, sex crimes, tv shows

Better Understanding Double Jeopardy in Vista, California

March 18, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

common crimes in california

The concept of double jeopardy as it applies to the law is one of those things that many people know about but few people understand. Here’s what double jeopardy actually means to someone already charged with a crime. What is Double Jeopardy Under the Law? Most people grasp the basic idea of double jeopardy -that […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: legal myths, us constitution, better understanding the law, double jeopardy, know your rights, movies

Can Two People Be Convicted For the Same Crime?

January 6, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

multiple people convicted for same crime

When two people confess to the same crime, it’s an obvious sign that one is lying for one reason or another. But could two people be convicted for the same crime if only one person could have committed it? As it turns out, yes. Doesn’t that Mean Punishing an Innocent Person? We previously discussed how […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: prosecutors, double jeopardy, court, how courts work, better understanding the law, California criminal process

Here’s How to Legally Film California Police

May 30, 2015 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Between all the recent cases where police have been accused of sexual abuse, racism, and brutality, it’s hardly surprising that more and more people in California are choosing to film their interactions with the police. Criminal attorney Peter M. Liss offers these tips for those who want to record their experiences with law enforcement officers […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: faqs, wiretapping, better understanding the law, civil rights, obstruction of justice, right to privacy, know your rights, police

Matt Murdock as a Lawyer? The Many Legal Questions in Daredevil

May 24, 2015 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is matt murdock aka daredevil a lawyer

It’s a rare day when comic book fans and other geeks can’t stop talking about a lawyer, but Matt Murdock isn’t just any defense attorney —he’s also the one-and-only vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen known as Daredevil. But if Matt Murdock loves his day job as a lawyer, will he need to give up his role […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: how courts work, superheroes, defenses, tv shows, comic books, court, fictional, attorneys, court motions

Little Known Forensic Specialties You Might Not Have Heard Of

January 16, 2015 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

strange forensic specialties

These days, thanks to shows like CSI, Dexter, and NCIS, everyone is familiar with forensic science, but while the existence of blood splatter and DNA analysis is common knowledge, there are plenty of other fields of forensic study that most people are totally unaware of. These experts might not be called in to handle a […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: California criminal process, forensic science, evidence, better understanding the law, dna, police investigations

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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

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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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