Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • 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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      • Fraud Charges
    • Drug Crimes
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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: dui, after the arrest, penalties, sentencing, driving

How to Help Protect Undocumented People You Care About from ICE

January 31, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

If you’ve been spurred to action to help protect their neighbors, friends, and family members who may be targeted by the ramped up ICE raids, do your research before taking action. While social media users have a lot of “advice” for how to protect people from ICE and Border Patrol raids, much of their suggestions […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, FEDERAL CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: know your rights, police, defense of others, warrants, better understanding the law, politics, federal crimes

Meeting a Minor for Lewd Purposes Attorney

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

soliciting a minor

In California, it is illegal to engage in a sex act with a minor and to attempt to meet with one for lewd purposes. Under California Penal Code section 288.4 (PC), you can be charged with the solicitation of a minor, even if the other person involved was actually an adult. The laws concerning sexual […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: right to silence, felonies, sex crimes, sex offenders, statutory rape, child molestation, technology, social media, computer crimes, stings

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

Is Return Fraud a Crime in California?

January 14, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A woman's hand holding a credit card in a billing terminal to illustrate return fraud laws in california

Around 15% of all merchandise purchased from retailers ends up being returned, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). While businesses may be willing to accommodate unhappy consumers returning low-quality items or ill-fitting clothing, few are prepared for the rising amount of return fraud. In fact, in 2008, the NRF estimated 8% of returns were […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, theft, fraud, shoplifting, petty theft, grand theft

Need a San Diego Marijuana Attorney?

January 13, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego marijuana crimes attorney

With different rules for those using pot for medicinal or recreational purposes, California marijuana laws can be very confusing. Meanwhile, possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of marijuana for any reason is still illegal under federal law. To clarify things, San Diego criminal attorney Peter Liss has put together this guide on recreational and medical marijuana […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: marijuana, drug possession, public intoxication, dui with drugs, drug crimes, drug trafficking, diversion programs, drug sales, health and safety, open container laws

California Laws Against Organized Theft: 490.4 (PC)

December 19, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

organized theft ring

In 2017, California enacted new theft laws to ensure those who shoplifted could only be charged with a misdemeanor or infraction, whereas prosecutors previously filed felony burglary charges against shoplifters. After the law was changed, most offenders qualified for a diversion program, allowing them to avoid having a conviction appear on their criminal record. While […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, theft, shoplifting, california laws, conspiracy, gang crimes, petty theft, grand theft, criminal justice reforms, wobblers

What is 484 (PC): Petty Theft In California

December 10, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

san diego theft defense

In California, the severity of a theft offense is based on the value of the stolen money, goods, or services. If the property is valued at less than $950, the offense is considered petty theft, defined under California Penal Code 484 (PC). Anyone charged with this crime in San Diego should call a criminal defense […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: misdemeanors, theft, shoplifting, alternative sentencing, california laws, diversion programs, defenses, petty theft

Is Mail Theft a Felony in California?

December 9, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

mail theft in california

Mail theft is best known as a federal crime, and under USC Section 1702 of Title 18, if you open someone else’s mail, it is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. This section of the law applies whether a letter or package is sent via UPS, USPS, FedEx, Amazon, or any […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, theft, california laws, petty theft, grand theft, federal crimes, wobblers

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

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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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    • Computer Crimes
    • Fraud Charges
  • DRUG OFFENSES
  • VIOLENT CRIMES
    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
    • Kidnapping
    • Weapons Charges
  • SEX OFFENSES
    • Sharing Obscene Materials
    • 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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