Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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  • DUI / Felony DUI
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    • Sex Crime Defense
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  • Traffic Offenses
    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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    • Theft Defense
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Need a San Diego Marijuana Attorney?

January 13, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego marijuana crimes attorney

With different rules for those using pot for medicinal or recreational purposes, California marijuana laws can be very confusing. Meanwhile, possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of marijuana for any reason is still illegal under federal law. To clarify things, San Diego criminal attorney Peter Liss has put together this guide on recreational and medical marijuana […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: marijuana, drug possession, public intoxication, dui with drugs, drug crimes, drug trafficking, diversion programs, drug sales, health and safety, open container laws

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

Deferred Prosecution Options Through California Diversion Programs in Vista

December 7, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

california criminal diversion programs

Prison and jail overcrowding has resulted in California being open to many alternatives to traditional forms of criminal punishment. One increasingly common alternative is “diversion,” a program that allows those accused of crimes to avoid criminal conviction if they meet the terms outlined in their agreement with the court. What is a Pre-Trial Diversion Program? […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DRUG OFFENSES, JUVENILE CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES, SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, probation, alternative sentencing, diversion programs, penalties

Minor In Possession of Alcohol Attorney In San Diego, California

October 3, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

minor in possession

In California, being under the legal drinking age doesn’t just prohibit you from consuming alcohol; it also prevents you from possessing it in any public place. Minors convicted of this crime face misdemeanor charges, but the offense is only punishable with a fine or community service, so teens convicted for this crime cannot be sentenced to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, diversion programs, minor in possession, business and professions code, juvenile drinking laws, zero tolerance, open container laws, drunk in public, misdemeanors, alcohol

What Alternative Custody Options are Available in Vista?

March 18, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

vista alternative sentencing attorney, alternative to incarceration

In recent years, courts around the country have offered an increasing number of alternatives to incarceration, including home arrest and electronic surveillance options. For a long time, San Diego County courts hesitated to take advantage of alternative sentencing options in all the most unusual cases. However, judges and prosecutors are now more open to these […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES, SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES Tagged With: probation, alternative sentencing, technology, community service, diversion programs, house arrest, sentencing, gps, penalties

Fighting Prescription Drug Crimes in Vista and San Diego

December 8, 2013 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Tiger Woods' DUI Case

Many people mistakenly believe that prescription drug abuse is safer and less legally risky than using illegal street drugs, but using prescriptions is just as dangerous and illegal as abusing street drugs. Some of the most commonly abused prescription medications, including Morphine, Adderall, Vicodin, Fentanyl, and Oxycontin, have effects similar to street drugs like methamphetamine […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, DRUG OFFENSES Tagged With: medical conditions, drug possession, fraud, dui with drugs, drug crimes, opioids, diversion programs, prescription drugs, drug sales, medical treatments

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
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  • DRUG OFFENSES
  • VIOLENT CRIMES
    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
    • Kidnapping
    • Weapons Charges
  • SEX OFFENSES
    • Sharing Obscene Materials
    • Rape
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  • THEFT CRIMES
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  • White Collar Crimes
  • Theft Defense
  • Violent Crimes
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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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