Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

24 hour hotline
  • DUI / Felony DUI
    • Vista DUI Attorney
    • DMV Hearings
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sex Crimes
    • 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
    • White Collar Crime
      • Fraud Charges
    • Drug Crimes
  • About
    • About Attorney Peter Liss
    • Contact Us
    • San Diego Office
    • Client Testimonials
    • Case Results
  • Resources
    • Law Blog
    • The Criminal Process
    • California Criminal Law FAQ
    • Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
  • English
    • Español (Spanish)

Destroying or Concealing Evidence Under California Law

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

destroy or conceal evidence california law

It is against the law to destroy or conceal evidence, but these actions often still seem promising for those worried they may face a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, damaging or hiding evidence could result in your being charged with California Penal Code section 135 (PC). Sometimes people even end up in jail for destroying or concealing […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, inadmissible evidence, evidence, better understanding the law, court, tampering with evidence

Debunking the 10 Most Commonly Believed Legal Myths

August 14, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

common legal myths

Many shows, books, and movies depict the legal system, but because writers need to be concerned with conciseness and ratings, they often fall back on common misconceptions. Unfortunately, when myths spread enough, the public starts to accept them as accurate, but no matter how much people believe these ideas, it doesn’t change how the criminal […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, FAQs, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, forensic science, evidence, obstruction of justice, insanity defense, better understanding the law, after the arrest, court, legal myths, entrapment, marriage, faqs

Is it Illegal to Spank Your Child in California?

July 3, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it illegal to spank your child in california

It is against the law to beat a child, but many people mistakenly believe that all forms of corporal punishment are illegal in California. The line between discipline and abuse can be blurry though, so while spanking is legal, it must fall under what the law defines as “reasonable discipline.” If you have been accused […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Assault and Battery, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: assault, battery, felonies, misdemeanors, child abuse, violent crimes, penalties, wobblers

Can a Sex Offender Move to Another State?

May 19, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Sex Offender Laws About Moving to a New State

Just about everyone has a basic understanding that most sex crime convictions result in mandatory registration on the sex offender registry. What you may not know is that while every state has a sex offender registry under Megan’s Law, each one has a different set of laws detailing the rights and responsibilities of those on […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, SEX OFFENSES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, probation, sex crimes, sex offenders, megans law

Not All Religious Confession Is Protected by the Law

May 15, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is confession protected by law

Even if you’re not Catholic, you probably already know that a confession made to Catholic priests is protected both by the church and the government. But that doesn’t mean that anyone of any religion can tell their clergy leader about past crimes and expect those same spiritual and legal protections. If you need to get […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: know your rights, confidentiality, privileged communications, confessions, better understanding the law, first ammendment

Can You be Arrested for a Confession Made at AA?

April 17, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is AA protected like a religious confessional?

The Alcoholics Anonymous (and similar Narcotics Anonymous —NA) recovery process requires you to be open and honest about your past and to admit wrongs you made while under the influence. But is a confession made at Alcoholics Anonymous legally protected like those made to priests? The answer is complicated. Here’s what a defense attorney believes […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, alcohol, drug crimes, drug addiction, confidentiality, privileged communications, therapists, confessions, better understanding the law

A Small List of the Many, Many Crimes Committed By the Gang in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

February 24, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The entire charm of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia relies on watching terrible people do terrible things, but with all the things the gang has done, it’s a minor miracle any of them are still free to walk the streets. Here are a small handful of crimes the gang has committed, along with their potential […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Assault and Battery, DRUG OFFENSES, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, THEFT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: dui, battery, robbery, theft, burglary, vandalism, fraud, sex crimes, prostitution, arson, rioting, pimping and pandering, tv shows, false impersonation, kidnapping

When to Call a Trespassing Lawyer in Vista

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

trespassing attorney

Basic trespassing, filed under California Penal Code 602 (PC), involves entering someone’s property without permission or a right to do so. This offense is usually only charged as an infraction or misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or jail sentence. On the other hand, aggravated trespassing, filed under California Penal Code section 601 (PC), is a […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, domestic violence, burglary, harassment, stalking, infractions, aggravated trespassing, trespassing, wobblers

Surprising Things Police Can Do Without A Warrant

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

do police need a warrant to search social media profiles

The Constitution may protect you from unreasonable search and seizure, but many people have no idea how complex search warrant laws are. For example, the police cannot search your cell phone without a warrant, but they can search your car without a warrant if they have “reasonable suspicion.” In fact, they can do many things […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police, police interrogations, police investigations, social media, warrants, search and seizure, dna

Fighting Charges If You Were Forced to Commit a Crime

February 3, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

what happens if you are forced to commit a crime

  Many consider themselves to be reasonable people who would never break the law aside from maybe driving a little too fast on the freeway. But if someone coerces them to do a criminal act by threatening their life or the lives of their family members, they may be willing to do just about anything […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: assault, battery, robbery, defense of others, intent, defenses, self defense, armed robbery, duress, medical conditions

« Previous Page
Next Page »

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

  • THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM
  • CRIMINAL DEFENSE
  • DUI / FELONY DUI
    • Sentencing
    • Traffic Stops
  • DRIVING OFFENSES
  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
  • WHITE COLLAR CRIME
    • 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
    • Sex Crimes Involving Children
  • THEFT CRIMES
  • FAQs
  • FEDERAL CRIMES
  • HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS
  • JUVENILE CRIME
  • LEGAL PROCEDURES
  • SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES
  • DUI/ Felony DUI
  • Driving Offenses
  • Domestic Violence
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Theft Defense
  • Violent Crimes
  • Sex Offenses
  • Juvenile Crime
  • Drug Offenses
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
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.

About Me Icon About Me Phone Call Icon Call Contact Icon Contact Email Icon Email