Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Juvenile Offenses
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DUI Car Accident Charges in Vista: 191.5(a), 191.5(b), and 23153 (PC)

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

DUI with accident lawyer

California legislators, police, and prosecutors do whatever they can to discourage drivers from operating vehicles while intoxicated. When drivers ignore these efforts and cause an accident while driving under the influence, they face much heavier consequences. In fact, when the driver causes an accident that results in even minor injuries, the charges are often filed […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: driving, bodily harm, dui, dui with accident, accidents, defenses, alcohol

Street Racing Charges in San Diego: 23109 (VC)

December 20, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

speed contests defense lawyer

Teens and young adults have always participated in street racing to some extent. However, in recent decades, drag racing and unauthorized car shows, known as “street takeovers” and “sideshows,” have become increasingly common. San Diego police have stepped up enforcement by creating a dedicated street racing task force to combat these activities. At the same […]

Filed Under: DRIVING OFFENSES Tagged With: reasonable suspicion, driving, defenses, reckless driving, enhancements, juvenile crimes

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: petty theft, defenses, diversion programs, california laws, alternative sentencing, shoplifting, theft, misdemeanors

Filing a False Police Report in California: 148.5 (PC)

October 22, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

false report of a crime

We’ve all been annoyed, angered, or scared of someone before —sometimes all three at once. However, falsely accusing someone of a crime is illegal under California Penal Code section 148.5 (PC), meaning it is a poor choice for those hoping to seek revenge or prank others. This penal code also makes it a crime to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: insurance, 911, lying, false allegations, perjury, defenses, fraud, misdemeanors

Sightseeing or Unauthorized Entry into an Emergency Area

July 16, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A drone like the one used to interfere with fire crews in June

When emergency personnel are called to handle a fire, hostage situation, car crash, or any other situation that threatens the public’s safety, they must be able to do their jobs without interference. It is for this very reason that California has instituted multiple laws to help protect first responders while they handle dangerous situations. These […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: 911, disturbing the peace, defenses, intent, community service, california laws, white collar, misdemeanors, police

Is a 911 Call Probable Cause? What if it’s Anonymous?

September 7, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Police Spying on Phone Calls

On any given Friday or Saturday night, you might see signs on the side of the freeway advising drivers to report anyone they suspect of drunk driving to 911. But is this kind of tip really enough to serve as probable cause, allowing an officer to pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving? And […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: 911, reasonable suspicion, Cell phones, defenses, probable cause, traffic stops, technology, dui

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

Is Suicide Illegal In California?

August 21, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Suicide is Legal in California

Suicide isn’t an easy discussion topic for most people, but it’s also subject to several myths when it comes to the law. For example, many people think it is a crime to kill yourself in California and that you can be charged with attempted suicide if your attempt fails. In actuality, suicide (and attempted suicide) […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: aiding and abetting, homicide, california laws, penalties, suicide, defenses

What to Know About California Vandalism Laws

July 18, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Vista vandalism lawyer

Vandalism and graffiti are crimes nearly everyone has committed at one point or another —whether it involves scratching your initials into a desk in high school, doodling on a bus poster, or something more drastic like spray painting your name across a wall. But just because these acts are common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: felonies, property damage, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, vandalism, defenses

Driving Under The Influence of Drugs in California

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

Driving Under The Influence of Drugs in California

  Because many people have only heard about drunk driving, they do not think that driving while high is as serious of a crime. But driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is dangerous for precisely the same reason, as these substances impair your judgment and reaction time. For this reason, you can face charges […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: dui, drivers license, driving, penalties, defenses, drug crimes, dui with drugs, marijuana

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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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    • Sharing Obscene Materials
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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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