Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

24 hour hotline
  • DUI / Felony DUI
    • Vista DUI Attorney
    • DMV Hearings
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sex Crimes
    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • Traffic Offenses
    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
    • Violent Crime
      • The Three Strikes Law
      • Weapons Charges
    • Theft Defense
    • White Collar Crime
      • Fraud Charges
    • Drug Crimes
  • About
    • About Attorney Peter Liss
    • Contact Us
    • San Diego Office
    • Client Testimonials
    • Case Results
  • Resources
    • Law Blog
    • The Criminal Process
    • California Criminal Law FAQ
    • Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
  • English

Is Proplifting a Crime in California?

October 16, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

proplifting

Skilled gardeners know the best way to avoid spending a fortune on plants is to simply propagate new plants from seeds, roots, cuttings, and discarded or damaged plant matter. While there’s typically nothing wrong with propagating your own plants or accepting propagation materials from friends, family members, and neighbors, taking plant parts without permission, sometimes […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: misdemeanors, theft, vandalism, shoplifting, plants, faqs

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

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

Vehicle Code 10852 (VC): Auto Tampering in Vista

July 20, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

vehicle tampering

In Vista, California, tampering with another person’s vehicle is illegal, whether you mess with the car as a whole or just a part of the vehicle or its contents. The good news is that in many cases, this offense serves as a substitute for vehicle burglary charges, allowing these offenders to face a much lighter sentence. […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DRIVING OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: misdemeanors, theft, vandalism, auto theft, property damage, property destruction

Laws About Picking Fruit from Public Trees

May 8, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

is picking california poppies or fruit from public trees legal?

When you see a sun-ripened fruit hanging from the branch, it’s natural to want to pick it. But if the tree doesn’t belong to you, take a minute to evaluate the situation first. While you’re usually allowed to harvest from public trees, the law is more complex when it comes to plants located on private […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM Tagged With: theft, vandalism, california laws, property damage, grand theft, plants, trespassing

The Toxic Relationship Between Jan Levinson and Michael Scott

January 13, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The Office was highly praised for the way it approached domestic abuse. Whereas most shows either portray a woman victim or make light of a man being abused, often even questioning his masculinity or even going so far as to imply that he deserves it for letting a woman abuse him, The Office showed Michael […]

Filed Under: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: domestic violence, vandalism, evidence, tv shows, rape, property destruction, fictional, consent

The Crimes Committed in Home Alone: Harry and Marv are Destined for Prison

December 20, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A Christmas tree with multi-colored ornaments

Home Alone is considered a Christmas classic these days, and it’s no wonder when the plot revolves around a scared little boy fighting off two seriously bad dudes while trying to make the most of the holiday season. As a tribute to this holiday staple, lawyer Peter M. Liss is taking the opportunity to explore […]

Filed Under: Assault and Battery, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, THEFT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: child abuse, juvenile crimes, robbery, theft, vandalism, shoplifting, conspiracy, christmas, holidays, self defense, grand theft, fictional, aggravated trespassing, trespassing, neglect, criminal threats

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

A Small List of the Many, Many Crimes Committed By the Gang in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

February 24, 2017 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

The entire charm of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia relies on watching terrible people do terrible things, but with all the things the gang has done, it’s a minor miracle any of them are still free to walk the streets. Here are a small handful of crimes the gang has committed, along with their potential […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Assault and Battery, DRUG OFFENSES, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, THEFT CRIMES, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: dui, battery, robbery, theft, burglary, vandalism, fraud, sex crimes, prostitution, arson, rioting, pimping and pandering, tv shows, false impersonation, kidnapping

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

Next Page »

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

  • THE CA LEGAL SYSTEM
  • CRIMINAL DEFENSE
  • DUI / FELONY DUI
    • Sentencing
    • Traffic Stops
  • DRIVING OFFENSES
  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
  • WHITE COLLAR CRIME
    • Computer Crimes
    • Fraud Charges
  • DRUG OFFENSES
  • VIOLENT CRIMES
    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Homicide
    • Kidnapping
    • Weapons Charges
  • SEX OFFENSES
    • Sharing Obscene Materials
    • Rape
    • Sex Crimes Involving Children
  • THEFT CRIMES
  • FAQs
  • FEDERAL CRIMES
  • HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS
  • JUVENILE CRIME
  • LEGAL PROCEDURES
  • SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES
  • DUI/ Felony DUI
  • Driving Offenses
  • Domestic Violence
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Theft Defense
  • Violent Crimes
  • Sex Offenses
  • Juvenile Crime
  • Drug Offenses
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
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.

About Me Icon About Me Phone Call Icon Call Contact Icon Contact Email Icon Email