Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Reckless Driving
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    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Filing a False Police Report in California: 148.5 (PC)

October 22, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

false report of a crime

We’ve all been annoyed, angered, or scared of someone before —sometimes all three at once. However, falsely accusing someone of a crime is illegal under California Penal Code section 148.5 (PC), meaning it is a poor choice for those hoping to seek revenge or prank others. This penal code also makes it a crime to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: misdemeanors, fraud, defenses, perjury, false allegations, lying, 911, insurance

Who Are The Worst Fictional Lawyers of All Time?

February 2, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The Worst Fictional Lawyers of All Time

Always do your research when looking for the right defense lawyer because you don’t want to end up with someone inexperienced. Still, even the average not-so-great real-life attorney will have nothing on these famous bad lawyers. If they were real rather than just existing in TV shows, these lawyers wouldn’t just be the worst —they […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: comic books, tv shows, superheroes, how courts work, fictional, court, lying, attorneys, court motions

What Interrogation Techniques do Police Use?

December 23, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

police interrogation tactics

When you are accused of a crime, the police will often work on coaxing you to confess —even if you didn’t actually do it. To do this, police officers rely on several tried and true interview techniques, such as the well-known good cop/bad cop technique. While a skilled criminal defense attorney may be able to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: know your rights, right to silence, police interrogations, police investigations, confessions, lying, miranda rights

California Car Registration Fraud: Vehicle Code 4463 (VC)

October 21, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

vehicle registration fraud in california

Whether you are trying to save a little extra cash or just don’t want to deal with the DMV, you might be tempted to counterfeit your license registration sticker or paperwork rather than properly registering your car with the state and getting official tags, license plates, or smog certification. Unfortunately, what may seem like a […]

Filed Under: Fraud Charges, DRIVING OFFENSES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, fraud, dmv, lying, driving, wobblers

The Unlawful Use of a Disability Placard in California

October 21, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

unlawful use of a disability placard 4461 (VC)

California Vehicle Code section 22507.8 (VC) makes it illegal to park in a handicapped parking spot without the proper disability placard or license plate. Violating this law is only an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $500. Additionally, the vehicle may be towed, and the driver will be responsible for towing and impoundment […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DRIVING OFFENSES Tagged With: misdemeanors, fraud, white collar, dmv, infractions, lying, driving, disabilities

What to Do (and Not Do) During an Arrest

October 14, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

common crimes in california

Protecting your rights starts from the first time you speak with a police officer, which is why it’s important to remain silent when you’re being placed under arrest.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, FAQs, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police, right to silence, civil rights, search and seizure, after the arrest, lying

Are Lawyers Allowed to Lie on Behalf of Their Clients?

June 25, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

can lawyers lie?

There are probably hundreds of jokes about lawyers lying for a living, but no matter what public opinion, legal standards prohibit attorneys from knowingly telling a lie. If a lawyer lies, he is risking his law license. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct specifically says that while they must do what […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: confidentiality, privileged communications, legal stories in the news, perjury, court, professionals, lying, attorneys

Police Can Legally Lie to Suspects in Vista; Here are the 6 Most Common

June 11, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

can police lie to suspects?

Most people assume that because police are charged with upholding the law that they wouldn’t lie to perform their duties. This is a very problematic assumption because it’s simply not true. Law enforcement agents can legally lie to suspects (and often do) to get suspects to confess or otherwise get them to do what they […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: police interrogations, police investigations, better understanding the law, lying, criminal justice reforms

Maybe Rabbits Shouldn’t Be Police Officers in the World of Zootopia

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

officer hops is a terrible cop

The world of Zootopia is an inspirational tale about overcoming prejudice and stereotypes to make a better, more inclusive world. But when the protagonist is the city’s first bunny police officer, who happens to break the law and put the public at risk more often than not, it undermines the positive message she should be […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: know your rights, shoplifting, witness accounts, extortion, probable cause, fictional, search and seizure, lying, miranda rights, entrapment

What to do When You are Being Investigated & Signs it’s Happening

May 4, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

you are under investigation

In television and movies, the suspect almost always knows the police are investigating them and acts accordingly. But in real life, things are rarely so obvious. You do not legally have to be informed of an investigation, and police often prefer not to notify someone that they are a suspect until they formally charge them […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: know your rights, police, right to silence, police interrogations, police investigations, warrants, search and seizure, lying, miranda rights

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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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    • Animal Abuse
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    • Homicide
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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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