Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Meeting a Minor for Lewd Purposes Attorney

January 17, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

soliciting a minor

In California, it is illegal to engage in a sex act with a minor and to attempt to meet with one for lewd purposes. Under California Penal Code section 288.4 (PC), you can be charged with the solicitation of a minor, even if the other person involved was actually an adult. The laws concerning sexual […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: child molestation, statutory rape, sex offenders, sex crimes, right to silence, felonies, stings, technology, computer crimes, social media

California’s Tiered Sex Offender Registry Laws

January 16, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

failure to register as a sex offender in california

Being convicted of a sex crime in nature can be devastating. These offenses can destroy your reputation. Beyond that, even after you have served your time, you will still be subject to the California sex offender registry. Not all sex offenses involve mandatory registration under California Penal Code section 290 (PC). However, many people on […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: california laws, rape, megans law, child molestation, sex offenders, sex crimes

How Can Sex Offenders Get a Passport?

January 15, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

vista child molestation defense lawyer

Sex offenders face some of the longest sentences of any convicted criminals because their mandated inclusion on the Megan’s Law registry means they continue to be punished long after their incarceration, parole, and probation are over. While California’s tiered registration system means not all offenders remain on the list for life, many still must register […]

Filed Under: Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: faqs, travel, megans law, sex offenders, sex crimes

What are California’s Laws Against Deepfake Pornography?

October 24, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

California deepfake porn laws

It may seem hard to believe, but up through 2024, it was completely legal to create AI-generated pornography, even if it depicts a child’s likeness. However, this will all change in 2025, thanks to a new slate of laws signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom that target the sharing and creation of deepfake porn, namely […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sharing Obscene Materials, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: pornography, first ammendment, revenge porn, computer crimes, child pornography, technology, sex offenders, sex crimes

What Can be Used in Court as Physical Evidence of Rape?

September 5, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

physical Evidence Used in A Rape Case

Forensic science is best known for solving murders, but forensics can also be used during a rape examination to collect proof that a sexual assault occurred. These examinations reveal evidence, including DNA samples, fiber fragments, fingerprints, and more.  But just because the rape kit indicates that sexual intercourse occurred between two people doesn’t always mean […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: police investigations, sex offenders, sex crimes, forensic science, dna, rape, megans law, evidence

Prositution and Solicitation Charges in California: 647(b) (PC)

August 29, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

how to beat a solicitation charge in california

Prostitution and solicitation of prostitution are two of the most common sex crimes in the world. The good news is that because these crimes involve two or more willing adults, they are considered two of the least serious sex offenses and do not result in mandatory sex offender registration in California. Even so, if you […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: human trafficking, pimping and pandering, sex offenders, prostitution, solicitation, sex crimes

Bestiality is Illegal in California, But Zoophilia Porn is Legal

April 12, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Is bestiality legal in california?

One of the law’s most important purposes is to protect those who cannot defend themselves, including animals. For this reason, sex with animals is illegal since these creatures cannot consent to the act. The act of bestiality (frequently misspelled as “beastiality” or even “beastly”), sometimes called zoophilia, zoo porn, or animal porn, is illegal in […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Animal Abuse, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: pornography, computer crimes, animal abuse, sex offenders, sex crimes

CA Penal Code 289 (PC): Forcible Sexual Penetration With a Foreign Object

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

difficulty of rape convictions

In California, forced sex charges aren’t limited to acts involving rape with a penis. They can also include acts of oral copulation by force or fear or an act of non-consensual sexual penetration with an object, including another body part. Forcible penetration with a foreign object is a sex crime under California Penal Code section 289 (PC), and the offense carries serious criminal […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Rape, Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: penalties, rape, defenses, sex crimes, sex offenders

Fighting Pimping and Pandering Charges in California

December 3, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

pimping and pandering lawyer san diego

In Hollywood movies, a pimp is someone who forces someone to sell their body for sex and then takes all of their money. These fictional pimps are willing to beat, drug, and even rape women to exert control over them. While this does occasionally happen in reality, pimping is often less clear-cut. Even friends of […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: human trafficking, sex crimes, prostitution, sex offenders, pimping and pandering

California Halloween Sex Offender Laws and Operation Boo

October 24, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

sex offenders and halloween

Halloween is the one day a year when children go to strangers’ houses expecting treats, which is why the holiday provokes more parental anxiety than any other day. While parental concerns seem reasonable, studies show that fears of poisoned candy, drug distribution, and rampant sexual abuse are unfounded. Although child molestation does not happen with increased frequency on Halloween (90% […]

Filed Under: Sex Crimes Involving Children, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: holidays, megans law, Halloween, sex offenders, probation

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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
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    • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
  • Child Molestation
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    • Weapons Offenses
    • Assault
    • Homicide
    • Hate Crimes
    • Gang Crimes
    • Three Strikes Law
  • Criminal Traffic Offenses
    • Driving on a Suspended License
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    • 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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