Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
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    • Hit and Run Accidents
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    • Reckless Driving
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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Will Your Car be Impounded After a DUI in Vista, California?

March 17, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

What Will Happen to Your Car After a DUI Arrest

When you’re arrested for drunk driving, the police aren’t about to let you get back in the vehicle and drive it back to the station. So what happens to your car after a DUI arrest? Well, that depends on a few things, but when you are arrested for driving under the influence, your vehicle could […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: after the arrest, driving, sentencing, penalties, dui

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: dui with accident, bodily harm, driving, accidents, defenses, alcohol, dui

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, enhancements, defenses, reckless driving, juvenile crimes

Top San Diego Military DUI Defense Attorney

December 6, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Worn Usa Military Dog Tags Close Up on Us American Flag

Jurisdictional Issues for Military DUIs The circumstances of a military DUI will determine how the suspect is tried. When a service member gets accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will face Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP) as determined by their superior officer. They will also usually face charges as well, but the […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: military, federal crimes, driving, penalties, alcohol, dui

Do You Need a Lawyer for an Open Container Law in California?

November 11, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

open container laws california

There’s a time and a place for everything. While there’s nothing wrong with cracking open a cold bottle of beer after work, it is a problem if you’re still in your car. California Vehicle law sections 23221-23229 (VC) set specific conditions for when an individual can or cannot drive with an open alcoholic beverage or […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: open container laws, zero tolerance, driving, infractions, minor in possession, dui with drugs, marijuana, misdemeanors, dui

Life After a DUI in California

August 28, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

life after a dui in california

When most people consider the consequences of a DUI conviction, they only think about the immediate legal penalties. What they fail to take into account is how their life will change after a DUI conviction. When you look at the dramatic and devastating life changes you’ll likely go through after a conviction, it is easy to […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: dui, drivers license, driving, penalties, community service, misdemeanors, alcohol

Juvenile DUI Laws in California

August 25, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego underage DUI lawyer

When it comes to juvenile DUI laws, California has some of the strictest laws in the country. Under the state’s Zero Tolerance policy, detailed under the state Vehicle Code section 23136 (VC), minors can be arrested and charged with drunk driving if they have even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system. If you […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: juvenile crimes, open container laws, drivers license, zero tolerance, driving, infractions, bac, dmv, dui with drugs, penalties, misdemeanors, dui

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: marijuana, dui with drugs, drivers license, drug crimes, driving, dui, defenses, penalties

It is Not Illegal to Wear a Mask in Public in California

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

is it illegal to wear a mask in public in california

Maybe it’s because of Hollywood or perhaps it’s just because California loves Halloween more than other states, but our state’s mask laws are pretty relaxed overall. In fact, whereas some states make it illegal for people over 16 to wear masks and others ban their use outside of October, wearing a mask is legal for […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DRIVING OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: california laws, Halloween, identity theft, driving, holidays, evidence

Can I Legally Drive Barefoot?

April 22, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

barefoot driving isn't reckless

For some reason, it seems everyone has heard that it is illegal to drive barefoot. Sometimes, the person spreading these rumors claims it’s an infraction. Other times, they may even say it’s a misdemeanor under the state’s reckless driving laws. But if you’re hoping you can go shoeless behind the wheel, go ahead and slip off your […]

Filed Under: DRIVING OFFENSES, Traffic Stops Tagged With: faqs, driving, legal myths, better understanding the law, reckless driving

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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
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  • DRUG OFFENSES
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    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
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    • Weapons Charges
  • SEX OFFENSES
    • Sharing Obscene Materials
    • Rape
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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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