Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Is it Illegal to Snoop Through Someone’s Phone in California?

September 11, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Man sitting on a bed with a laptop looking at his cell phone smiling.

Sometimes people worry their partner may be cheating and decide to spy on their spouse or lover to find out the truth. In the past, that often meant checking their letters, listening to phone conversations on another phone connected to the home’s landline, or hiring a private investigator to watch the potential cheater, but nowadays, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, hacking, right to privacy, spying, technology, wiretapping, Cell phones

Top San Diego Computer Crime Attorney

August 24, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

cyber crime lawyer san diego

Computers have only been widely used for the last half a century, and the internet has been popular for less than half that time. Even so, the number of ways a person can violate the law with a computer and an internet connection seems to grow by the day. These crimes are very complex, and […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sharing Obscene Materials, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: hacking, police investigations, technology, computer crimes, defenses, Cell phones, stings

“Swatting” is the False Report of an Emergency

July 3, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego internet crimes lawyer

The SWAT (or Special Weapons and Tactics) team is an elite unit of police officers tasked with handling particularly dangerous situations. While this special team helps resolve some particularly deadly situations, their presence can sometimes escalate certain circumstances a heavily armed and aggressive force isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, the aggressive nature of the SWAT team is […]

Filed Under: Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: fraud, california laws, technology, social media, computer crimes, defenses, false allegations, doxing

California Search and Seizure Laws

May 10, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

search and seizure laws california

For you to be charged with a crime, police must find enough evidence to indicate your guilt. For the charges to result in a conviction, the evidence must be strong enough to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the California and US Constitutions protect citizens from illegal and unreasonable search and seizure, police […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, Traffic Stops, DRUG OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police investigations, evidence, probable cause, defenses, better understanding the law, us constitution, search and seizure

San Diego Stalking Lawyer: 646.9 (PC)

January 20, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego Cyberstalking Attorney: cyberstalking laws California

Stalking, whether done online or in person, is a crime that can leave someone fearing for their life or the safety of their family. California has enacted many laws to protect citizens from stalking, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and cyber harassment, all of which are covered by Penal Code sections 646.9 (PC). If you have been accused of […]

Filed Under: Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, white collar, harassment, technology, computer crimes, defenses, stalking, doxing, penalties, wobblers

Is an IP Address Enough to Convict Someone of a Crime?

November 25, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is an ip address enough to convict?

As the internet has become a standard part of our lives, judges have tried to figure out how our existing laws and precedents apply in the digital age. The courts must balance law enforcement’s need to investigate crimes with the Constitution’s protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Similarly, they must balance the government’s interest in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sharing Obscene Materials, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, FEDERAL CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: police investigations, technology, evidence, warrants, computer crimes, better understanding the law, court

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

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

The Most Common Crimes Committed On Social Media

January 18, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

social media crimes

For all the good social media has done in helping to connect people, it has also helped people commit crimes in a number of ways. While the most obvious recent example was the planning far-right agitators did before storming the capitol, there are many other ways social media can be used for criminal acts. Here […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: theft, fraud, sex crimes, hacking, identity theft, technology, social media, child pornography, computer crimes, false impersonation, revenge porn

What is the Penalty for Hiring a Hitman? California Murder Solicitation Law

March 20, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

vista murder for hire lawyer

A recent article in the New York Times uncovered a strange side of the dark web, where murder-for-hire sites are plentiful, but assassins are non-existent. While the hitmen may be fake, real people do visit these sites looking to hire someone to kill another person. Though it is legal to access these types of sites, […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: murder, homicide, conspiracy, murder for hire, scams, gang crimes

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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
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    • Identity Theft
    • Computer Crimes
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    • 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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