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
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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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

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: dui, misdemeanors, marijuana, dui with drugs, minor in possession, infractions, driving, zero tolerance, open container laws

You Won’t Believe These Famous DUI Cases

June 19, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

SR22 Insurance for DUI in california

Drunk driving is one of the most commonly committed crimes in America, and celebrities are just as likely to drive under the influence as the general populace. While you may feel all alone when you have been charged with a DUI, remember that many people (including some of the most famous people in the world) […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, DRUG OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: dui, drug possession, dui with drugs, celebrities, community service, prescription drugs, high bac

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: dui, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, dui with drugs, dmv, bac, infractions, penalties, driving, zero tolerance, drivers license, open container laws

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

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: dui, breathalyzers, marijuana, dui with drugs, dui tests, dmv, bac, driving

What Are the Immigration Consequences for a California DUI?

February 26, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

deportation for a DUI

For non-citizens, criminal charges carry additional stress because the defendant will often stress about whether or not a conviction will affect his or her immigration status. In fact, the first question non-citizens typically ask their DUI attorney is “will this subject me to deportation?” The good news is that generally, a simple drunk driving conviction […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: dui, dui with drugs, better understanding the law, moral turpitude, federal crimes

Are DUI Sobriety Checkpoints Legal in Vista, California?

August 27, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

fighting dui checkpoint arrests in San Diego

If you have been charged with drunk driving after going through a DUI checkpoint, I can help you fight the charges.

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: dui, know your rights, police, dui with drugs, traffic stops, probable cause, driving

23152(c) (VC) Makes Driving While Addicted a Crime in San Diego

October 3, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

These days, everyone knows it’s illegal to drive drunk. Most people are even aware that you can’t drive a vehicle under the influence of drugs. But did you know that driving while addicted to drugs is actually against the law in California, even if you’re not using the drugs at the time? You can even […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: dui, misdemeanors, dui with drugs, drug crimes, drug addiction, medical conditions, driving

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: drug possession, fraud, dui with drugs, drug crimes, opioids, diversion programs, prescription drugs, drug sales, medical treatments, medical conditions

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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

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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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