Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Reckless Driving
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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Are Sawed-Off Shotguns Illegal In California? Understanding 33215 (PC)

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

is a sawed-off shotgun legal in calfornia

California state law prohibits manufacturing, possessing, selling, or importing short-barreled shotguns or rifles. Manufacturing includes sawing the barrel from a shotgun to make it a “sawed off” model. Possession charges can still be filed even if the weapon is in pieces as long as it can easily be reassembled. Contact a defense lawyer immediately if […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Gang Crimes, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, firearm possession, gun laws, firearms, penalties, weapons

California Hacking Laws Prohibit Accessing Computers Without Permission

September 19, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

chat room charges attorney

It can be very tempting to look at someone’s emails, Facebook, Instagram messages, texts, or other private data without permission. Still, unauthorized access of another person or company’s computer, electronic data, or computer network without permission is a crime in California. It doesn’t matter if you were trying to commit a crime, such as fraud […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: theft, fraud, white collar, hacking, identity theft, technology, computer crimes, embezzlement

Is Jury Nullification Legal in California?

August 29, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A full 12 person jury box listens to a case in a courtroom

Sometimes the law is unjust. The law itself may be morally reprehensible, the penalties may be too harsh for the crime, or an ordinarily reasonable law may seem unfair in a particular case. In these cases, jurors may sometimes resort to a practice known as jury nullification, meaning they base their verdict not on the […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE Tagged With: California criminal process, california laws, evidence, better understanding the law, politics, court, judges, juror misconduct, first ammendment

Ghost Gun Charges and Penalties in Vista, California: 24610 (PC) and More

December 12, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

ghost guns are illegal in california

The Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear arms, but legislators and courts are constantly debating exactly where to draw the line on that right. One area of the gun rights issue that’s particularly problematic is the issue of privately made firearms, often called “ghost guns.” These self-made firearms pose a serious threat to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges Tagged With: violent crimes, firearm possession, gun laws, firearms, weapons

Can You be Charged With Attempted Murder if the “Victim” was Already Dead?

November 11, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

attempting to kill a corpse

Murder is the taking of another person’s life, so naturally, attempted murder is the attempt to take someone’s life. So would it be murder if someone attempts to take the life of someone who it turns out has already died? It’s an interesting legal question that has appeared not only in law schools and detective […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: murder, homicide, violent crimes, evidence, attempted murder, hiding a body, health and safety

What Does it Mean to Instruct Jurors in a Trial?

October 25, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

jury instructions

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.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: reasonable doubt, juries, better understanding the law, court, judges

San Diego Robbery Attorney With 35 Years Experience

October 21, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A gun on a pile of money

Robbery is a serious felony that can result in penalties ranging from 3 years to life depending on the circumstances involved. If you have been accused of robbery, please call Peter Liss as soon as possible to discuss your defense.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: robbery, theft, violent crimes, firearms, armed robbery, enhancements, bodily harm, three strikes

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

What to Do (and Not Do) During an Arrest

October 14, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

common crimes in california

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.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, FAQs, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police, right to silence, civil rights, search and seizure, after the arrest, lying

Can You Use a Nanny Cam Legally In California? It Depends

October 11, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

are nanny cams legal in California?

Nanny cams exist in a legal gray area in California state. They can be used, but only in specific areas and in specific ways -unless those being filmed consent to the filming.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: know your rights, right to privacy, spying, california laws, child molestation, revenge porn, better understanding the law, wiretapping

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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
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    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
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    • Weapons Charges
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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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