Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Can Gum Throw Off a Breathalyzer?

October 23, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

gingivitis dui

There are a lot of rumors about how gum may affect breathalyzer test results. Some people think chewing it before providing a breath test will help cover the odor of the alcohol, helping to lower their BAC. Others believe that the artificial sugars in gum contain alcohol and will, therefore, cause them to appear drunk, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: food, high bac, bac, dui tests, breathalyzers, alcohol, dui

San Diego Commercial DUI Lawyer

July 6, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

commercial DUI attorney

DUI charges are always serious, but for those with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), these allegations can endanger their entire livelihoods. The national drunk driving laws concerning commercial drivers are much stricter than other DUI laws, and California’s are some of the most restrictive in the nation. If you are a commercial vehicle and truck […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: breathalyzers, federal crimes, drivers license, dui, dmv, bac, penalties

Excessively High BAC DUI Enhancements

December 21, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

high bac dui enhancement

It’s common for people to still feel sober after only one or two drinks, even when their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is over 0.08%. But when someone’s BAC is nearly twice that, almost everyone can recognize that they are too intoxicated to drive, meaning those who choose to drive at this point demonstrate an increased […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: dui, enhancements, high bac, implied consent, penalties, bac, dui tests, breathalyzers

Can You Get a DUI for Driving While High in California?

November 7, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

cheek swab dui in san diego

While recreational marijuana may be legal in California, driving under the influence of cannabis is still a crime. While most people associate DUIs with alcohol use, California Vehicle Code 23152(f) (VC) allows people to be charged with this crime after driving under the influence of any controlled substance, including marijuana. Even if you have a […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: breathalyzers, dui, dui with drugs, driving, bac, dmv, dui tests, marijuana

Ignition Interlock Device FAQ After A DUI in San Diego, California

October 7, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

ignition interlock law in San Diego, California

If you have been convicted of drunk driving in San Diego County, you may be ordered to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. California law requires anyone convicted of a DUI that caused severe bodily injury or a second or subsequent DUI offense to install one of these devices. However, some counties […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: driving, penalties, bac, ignition interlock devices, breathalyzers, dui

NyQuil Does Have Alcohol in It, So Can You Get a DUI from It?

April 10, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

nyquil and breathalyzer

It’s widely known that NyQuil and other cold medicines like Robitussin or Vicks Formula 44 contain alcohol, so people often wonder if they risk getting a DUI just for driving with a cold or flu. It’s a fair question, especially considering that having a fever can increase your BAC up to 9%. So, will NyQuil show […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: medical treatments, zero tolerance, medical conditions, dui tests, ignition interlock devices, juvenile crimes, breathalyzers, dui

The Truth About How to Beat a Breathalyzer

August 26, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

high bac dui enhancement

There are dozens of myths about how to beat a breathalyzer to lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results. Unfortunately, while you can trick a breathalyzer, most techniques increase your BAC, making you more likely to fail. Beyond that, if an officer catches you trying to use some of the tricks people have told you are […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: breathalyzers, alcohol, dui tests, legal myths, medical conditions, medical treatments

Driving with a Fever Could Leave You with a DUI

October 4, 2013 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

breathalyzers and fevers

Many things can cause a falsely high breathalyzer result, including diabetes or a low-carb diet. But did you know that even fevers can affect breathalyzers enough to result in your being charged and convicted of drunk driving? It’s true, and because being sick can cause you to drive poorly, your chances of getting pulled over […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: driving, medical conditions, medical treatments, breathalyzers, alcohol, dui

DUIs in Vista and The Implied Consent Law of California

June 17, 2012 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Implied Consent Law

When you get a driver’s license in California, you must sign an agreement that states that if you are pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, you will consent to chemical testing in the form of a blood or breath test. This agreement is made the Implied Consent Law, section 23612 (VC) of […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: dui, implied consent, blood tests, california laws, breathalyzers

What is BAC Used for in California DUIs?

June 9, 2012 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

fighting dui checkpoint arrests in San Diego

BAC is an abbreviation for Blood Alcohol concentration, which estimates how intoxicated someone is while driving. Under California law, the maximum BAC someone can have while driving is typically 0.08%, but commercial drivers must have a BAC below 0.04%, and minors must not have a BAC above 0.01%. If your BAC is above the legal […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: wet reckless, faqs, bac, better understanding the law, dui, blood tests, breathalyzers

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
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    • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
  • Child Molestation
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    • Trafficking
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    • 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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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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