Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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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: driving, sentencing, penalties, after the arrest, 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, dui, alcohol, defenses, accidents, driving, bodily harm

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

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: community service, high bac, prescription drugs, celebrities, drug possession, dui, dui with drugs

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: dui tests, food, high bac, bac, breathalyzers, alcohol, dui

Can You Get a DUI on a Skateboard or Rollerblades?

September 14, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

can you get a dui on a skateboard

California state driving laws establish a very specific definition of “vehicle” under the law, explicitly defining it as something self-propelled or powered by something other than a human. As a result, while you can get a DUI while riding a horse, operating a boat, or even using a ride-on lawnmower, you cannot get one for bouncing […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES Tagged With: dui, infractions, vehicles under california law, drunk in public, alcohol

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: technology, dui, traffic stops, reasonable suspicion, 911, Cell phones, defenses, probable cause

What to Know About the DUI Program in San Diego

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

A woman talks in front of a group of seated people

If you are convicted of drunk driving in San Diego County, you must complete a DUI program as part of your sentence. The course length will depend on how many previous DUIs you have on your record and how high your BAC was at the time of your arrest. If you have any specific questions […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: classes, penalties, alternative sentencing, probation, 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, alcohol, misdemeanors, community service, penalties, 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

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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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