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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The Story of Alec Baldwin’s Rust Trial

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

A gun with ammunition to illustrate Alec Baldwin's acquittal in the Rust shooting case

It was a true tragedy when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western film Rust. Whether or not it was a crime was not as immediately apparent. To determine if it was a crime, the incident was investigated by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, New Mexico’s First Judicial District […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: manslaughter, homicide, violent crimes, movies, legal stories in the news, firearms, negligence, weapons

The Felony Murder Rule of California: 189 (PC)

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

California felony murder law

Under California law, violent offenders can be charged with murder if they kill someone while committing a felony. This section of the law is known as the felony murder rule and is detailed under California Penal Code 189 (PC). At one point, even accidental deaths that occurred during the commission of a felony could result […]

Filed Under: Gang Crimes, Assault and Battery, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, murder, manslaughter, homicide, gang crimes, penalties, life imprisonment

What is the Sentence for Vehicular Manslaughter in California?

October 26, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

no fault defense DUI with injury in California

Vehicular homicide, detailed under California Penal Code section 192c (PC), is one of the most serious driving offenses a person can be charged with. It occurs when someone dies because another person was driving in negligently or unlawfully. You can even face vehicular manslaughter charges if you caused a fatal car accident while speeding. If […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, Homicide Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, manslaughter, reckless driving, defenses, negligence, accidents, vehicular manslaughter, driving, bodily harm

San Diego Murder Defense Lawyer Peter M. Liss

August 3, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

decertifying the police

Homicide accusations are one of the handful of charges that can potentially carry the death penalty in California. These serious charges demand the knowledge and skill of an experienced San Diego murder defense attorney like Peter M. Liss. If you have been accused or believe you are suspected of taking someone else’s life, please contact my […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: felonies, murder, manslaughter, homicide, violent crimes, defenses

Is a DUI in California a Felony or Misdemeanor?

March 17, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

What Makes A DUI A Felony?

Drunk driving should always be viewed as a serious charge as it can result in jail time, massive fines, prevent you from being able to drive and leave you with expensive insurance deductibles even once you do get your license back. But some driving under the influence cases are even more serious and can even […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: dui, felonies, manslaughter, prison, vehicular manslaughter, penalties, dui with accident, bodily harm, three strikes, wet reckless

All About Manslaughter Under California Penal Code Section 192 (PC)

December 7, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

voluntary manslaughter charges in california

In most people’s minds, the distinction between manslaughter and murder charges is whether or not the killing was intentional or not. But in the legal system, things aren’t so simple as that. In fact, while involuntary manslaughter is usually a result of an accidental death that was caused by recklessness or criminally negligent behavior, voluntary […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: murder, manslaughter, homicide, violent crimes, defenses, self defense, three strikes

Is Hiding a Body a Crime in Vista, California?

July 7, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

concealing an accidental death

Everyone knows it’s illegal to hide the body of a murder victim, whether the person hiding the corpse is the murderer or someone aiding and abetting the murderer. But it’s also illegal to conceal a body even if the victim died due to an accident. In Vista, these charges are filed under California Penal Code 152 (PC). Contact […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: murder, manslaughter, homicide, evidence, hiding a body, accidents, tampering with evidence

Is Throwing Something at a Car Illegal? Yes, Throughout Vista and the Rest of California

April 19, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A smashed windsheild

Everyone knows it’s dangerous to throw rocks at a car, so it makes sense that doing so is illegal. You might not realize that throwing something at a car is illegal even seemingly innocent items like empty water bottles. So why is throwing something at a car illegal even if it is seemingly harmless? While […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: juvenile crimes, vandalism, murder, manslaughter, homicide, violent crimes, property damage, property destruction, bodily harm

The Concept of Imperfect Self Defense and When it Can be Used in Vista

May 18, 2018 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A LEGO minifig drags another minifig with a blood trail behind it.

  Self-defense is considered a “perfect defense,” meaning you automatically qualify for a full acquittal if the defense succeeds. However, even with a top criminal attorney, it can be difficult to prove all of the requirements for self defense, particularly in a case involving murder. When it’s impossible to prove self defense in a murder case […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: murder, manslaughter, homicide, violent crimes, defense of others, defenses, self defense, better understanding the law, court, deadly force

It’s a Crime to Refuse Medical Treatment to Your Child

November 11, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

can you refuse medical treatment to a child?

When most people are dangerously ill, they visit a doctor. However, a small segment of the population believes that if they are meant to heal, prayer will cure their ailments. While this could result in deadly consequences for diseases that may be easily treatable with medication, it is still that person’s choice to trust in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: child abuse, manslaughter, homicide, negligence, medical treatments, medical conditions, first ammendment, neglect

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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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