Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
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    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
    • Violent Crime
      • The Three Strikes Law
      • Weapons Charges
    • Theft Defense
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      • Fraud Charges
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It IS Legal to Pick California Poppies

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

is it illegal to pick california poppies

Californians love their state flower. It’s little wonder we’re so proud of them when they create a golden landscape spreading across hills and valleys in areas like Mission Trails, Antelope Valley, Diamond Lake, and Lake Elsinore. Many residents are so enchanted by our state flower that they don’t even question it when someone tells them […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, THEFT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: misdemeanors, vandalism, petty theft, plants, legal myths, trespassing

Is it Illegal to Snoop Through Someone’s Phone in California?

September 11, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Man sitting on a bed with a laptop looking at his cell phone smiling.

Sometimes people worry their partner may be cheating and decide to spy on their spouse or lover to find out the truth. In the past, that often meant checking their letters, listening to phone conversations on another phone connected to the home’s landline, or hiring a private investigator to watch the potential cheater, but nowadays, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, hacking, right to privacy, spying, technology, wiretapping, Cell phones

San Diego, California Forgery Defense Attorney

September 1, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

forgery attorney

While signing someone else’s signature without permission is the best-known method of forgery, it is far from the only type under California law. This crime may also be accomplished by falsifying or changing documents or forging a seal. Because forgery crimes are typically performed to defraud someone of money or property, most people charged with […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, fraud, white collar, identity theft, embezzlement, forgery

The Good Samaritan Bystander Law in Seinfeld

August 30, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Difference Between Jail and Prison

 In one of the most famous season finales in television history, George, Elaine, Jerry, and Kramer are all charged under a “Good Samaritan Law” for watching someone get carjacked and failing to offer assistance. But over 25 years later, countless fans still wonder if the Latham, Massachusetts Good Samaritan law in Seinfeld even exists. […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: know your rights, misdemeanors, witness accounts, evidence, civil rights, better understanding the law, how courts work, fictional, court, legal myths

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, alcohol, misdemeanors, community service, penalties, driving, drivers license

Juvenile DUI Laws in California

August 25, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego underage DUI lawyer

When it comes to juvenile DUI laws, California has some of the strictest laws in the country. Under the state’s Zero Tolerance policy, detailed under the state Vehicle Code section 23136 (VC), minors can be arrested and charged with drunk driving if they have even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system. If you […]

Filed Under: THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, DUI / FELONY DUI, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: dui, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, dui with drugs, dmv, bac, infractions, penalties, driving, zero tolerance, drivers license, open container laws

What to Know About California Vandalism Laws

July 18, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Vista vandalism lawyer

Vandalism and graffiti are crimes nearly everyone has committed at one point or another —whether it involves scratching your initials into a desk in high school, doodling on a bus poster, or something more drastic like spray painting your name across a wall. But just because these acts are common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile crimes, vandalism, defenses, property damage

California Bigamy Law: 281 (PC)

July 7, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Escondido criminal lawyers

California recognizes marriages between a man and a woman and two partners of the same sex. It does not, however, acknowledge marriages involving more than one person or those where one party is already married to someone else. Polygamy and bigamy are crimes in California, and if either person getting married knows that one of […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, california laws, defenses, moral turpitude, penalties, marriage

1203.2 (PC): Probation Violation Lawyer in San Diego

May 22, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

probation violation lawyer

California is increasingly turning to probation to save money over incarcerating non-violent offenders. If you have been charged with a crime in San Diego, you could be sentenced to probation in place of part or all of a potential jail or prison term, even if you are found guilty of a felony. While probation is […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM, LEGAL PROCEDURES, SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES Tagged With: felonies, misdemeanors, probation, alternative sentencing, california laws, penalties, sentencing

When is a Crime an Infraction, Misdemeanor, or Felony?

May 17, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

misdemeanors versus felonies in California

California law defines three categories of crimes to distinguish which type of offenses are the most serious. While criminal charges may be filed as an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony, few people know which is worse. In terms of both the severity of the charges and the potential penalties, a felony is more serious […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: know your rights, felonies, misdemeanors, california laws, better understanding the law, infractions, faqs, wobblers

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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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  • DRUG OFFENSES
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    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • 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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