Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Not Guilty Due to Sleepwalking? It Can Happen, but Rarely

July 29, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

sleepwalking crimes

It seems like something out of a bad detective story, but as more and more people have begun taking prescription drugs with sleepwalking as a side effect, the number of crimes committed by sleepwalkers have dramatically increased over the last few decades and most commonly include offenses such as murder, sex crimes (a specific condition […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: dui, sex crimes, murder, witness accounts, defenses, better understanding the law, medical conditions

Is Sexsomnia a Reasonable Defense Against Sex Crime Charges in Vista?

March 8, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

rape and sexsmonia

There are many strange psychological conditions out there, particularly when it comes to sleep disorders. In fact, many people have been known to commit crimes in their sleep, ranging from driving under the influence all the way to murder. A particularly disturbing sleep condition is that of sexsomnia, in which the sleeper does a variety […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: sex crimes, defenses, rape, medical conditions

Pregnancy and Birth in California Jails and Prisons

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

giving birth behind bars?

Just because a woman is convicted of a crime doesn’t mean her reproductive system suddenly shuts down. And in fact, many women end up behind bars while pregnant. What happens next will vary depending on the specific circumstances and wishes of the mother-to-be, but one thing that’s always true is that California provides a much […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: prison, jail, unborn persons, penalties, medical treatments, medical conditions, recidivism, families

California’s Willful Exposure of Disease Law: 120290 (HS)

October 14, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is it illegal to purposely infect someone with a disease?

No one wants to be sick, but sometimes people with infectious diseases put their own needs above the needs of others and willfully expose other people to their sickness —and sometimes people even purposefully transmit their disease. When the condition is something worse than the common cold, such as herpes, tuberculosis, or chickenpox, this willful […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: assault, battery, sex crimes, medical conditions, health and safety

NyQuil Does Have Alcohol in It, So Can You Get a DUI from It?

April 10, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

nyquil and breathalyzer

It’s widely known that NyQuil and other cold medicines like Robitussin or Vicks Formula 44 contain alcohol, so people often wonder if they risk getting a DUI just for driving with a cold or flu. It’s a fair question, especially considering that having a fever can increase your BAC up to 9%. So, will NyQuil show […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: dui, breathalyzers, juvenile crimes, ignition interlock devices, dui tests, medical treatments, medical conditions, zero tolerance

The Truth About How to Beat a Breathalyzer

August 26, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

high bac dui enhancement

There are dozens of myths about how to beat a breathalyzer to lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results. Unfortunately, while you can trick a breathalyzer, most techniques increase your BAC, making you more likely to fail. Beyond that, if an officer catches you trying to use some of the tricks people have told you are […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: alcohol, breathalyzers, dui tests, medical treatments, medical conditions, legal myths

Is Dr. Jekyll Legally Responsible for Mr. Hyde’s Crimes?

May 31, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Vista drug attorney

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of the famous classic tales of the Victorian Era —and with good reason. It explores themes of addiction, personal responsibility, unconscious desires, the rigidity of Victorian norms, morality, and the duality of man. People have long debated whether or not Jekyll should be considered responsible for Mr. Hyde’s […]

Filed Under: DRUG OFFENSES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: violent crimes, drug crimes, drug addiction, insanity defense, fictional, medical conditions

Are Mario and Luigi Drug Addicts That Stomp Turtles While High?

March 8, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Oceanside drug lawyer

Much has been made about the idea that the Super Mario Bros. game simply revolves around Mario and his brother Luigi hallucinating while doing mushrooms. It’s an interesting concept that really does change everything about the game. So assuming it’s true, what does that mean for the brothers from a legal perspective? Here’s what lawyer […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Animal Abuse, DRUG OFFENSES, VIOLENT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: drug possession, drug crimes, animal abuse, insanity defense, defenses, fictional, medical conditions

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: assault, battery, robbery, defense of others, intent, defenses, self defense, armed robbery, duress, medical conditions

Is Spitting on Someone a Crime in California?

January 13, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is it illegal to spit in someone's food?

Spitting in someone’s face is one of the greatest insults you can make without saying a word. It also can quickly escalate a verbal argument into a physical one and cause someone to get seriously ill, which is why spitting on or at someone is a crime. Similarly, if a restaurant worker or anyone else […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Assault and Battery, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: assault, battery, felonies, vandalism, medical conditions, criminal threats, food

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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
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    • Trafficking
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    • 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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  • 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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