Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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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: police, 911, disturbing the peace, defenses, intent, community service, california laws, white collar, misdemeanors

What are the Best Criminal Defenses in CA?

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

Criminal Defense Strategies

If you are charged with a crime, you will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, you and your criminal defense attorney will need to present a defense to show the prosecutor does not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. To do this, you and your criminal lawyer […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: intent, entrapment, consent, false allegations, duress, better understanding the law, self defense, defenses, insanity defense, confessions, probable cause, evidence, witness accounts, statute of limitations

Possession of Burglary Tools, California Penal Code Section 466 (PC)

June 4, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

possession of burglary tools

The mere possession of a crowbar, or even a set of lockpicks, does not make someone a criminal. But if prosecutors can prove the person in possession of these items intended to use them to , then that person could be found guilty of violating California Penal Code Section 466 (PC), aka possession of burglary […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: trespassing, aggravated trespassing, intent, burglary, theft, misdemeanors

If You Return Someone’s Property, Can You Avoid Criminal Charges?

December 30, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it stealing if you bring it back?

As a child, everyone learns that borrowing without asking and borrowing without returning an item are both considered stealing the item from the owner. But from a legal perspective, things aren’t so clear cut. That’s because California’s theft laws require someone to intend to either permanently take an item or at least take it long […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES, FAQs Tagged With: auto theft, theft, california laws, joyriding, intent

Fighting Charges If You Were Forced to Commit a Crime

February 3, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

what happens if you are forced to commit a crime

  Many consider themselves to be reasonable people who would never break the law aside from maybe driving a little too fast on the freeway. But if someone coerces them to do a criminal act by threatening their life or the lives of their family members, they may be willing to do just about anything […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: medical conditions, duress, self defense, assault, battery, robbery, armed robbery, defense of others, intent, defenses

Breaking and Entering Under California Law

October 10, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

breaking and entering lawyer

Police officers in television shows are constantly arresting people for people for “breaking and entering,” which they often shorten to “B&E.” But in most states, including California, breaking and entering isn’t a real crime. It is still illegal to break into homes and businesses, but the actual charge you’ll face will usually be burglary or […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: aggravated trespassing, felonies, misdemeanors, theft, burglary, intent, trespassing, three strikes, wobblers

What Kind of Charges Could Skyler From Breaking Bad Face?

August 27, 2012 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

meth dui california

While we don’t know how the show will end yet, season five has made it clear that Breaking Bad’s Skyler White is willing to work with Walt -as long as it means keeping their kids safely away from the mess. She’s terrified of him and if she were arrested for her role in Walter’s business, […]

Filed Under: Sharing Obscene Materials, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: intent, defenses, duress, fictional, tv shows, drug crimes, money laundering, aiding and abetting

Sometimes Ignorance of the Law May be an Excuse

August 20, 2012 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

ignorance of the law and mens rae

You’ve no doubt heard the expression that “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” and while that’s true in most cases, it’s not the full story. For one thing, there are a handful of laws that are only crimes if the defendant knew they were breaking the law -for example, it is illegal to bring […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, CRIMINAL DEFENSE Tagged With: know your rights, better understanding the law, defenses, intent

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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    • 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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