Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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About California’s Justice System

Understanding Self-Defense Laws in California

January 27, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

California Self Defense Laws

In most cases, it is illegal to use force against others, but one of the strongest criminal defenses to these charges is arguing that you were acting in self-defense. California is known as a “stand your ground” state, which means you have the right to use force to defend yourself or another person without first […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Assault and Battery, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: California Self Defense Laws, california self defense, how self defense works, california stand your ground, stand your ground, does california have stand your ground laws, self defense and california law, self defense laws in california, defense of others, self defense

Grand Theft Charges in San Diego, California

January 26, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Vista grand theft lawyer

If you are accused of stealing in California, the charges will be filed as either grand theft or petty theft, depending on the value of the goods stolen. Grand theft, also known as grand larceny, occurs when stolen property is valued at $950 or more, whereas petty theft is charged when the value is lower. If you […]

Filed Under: Theft Defense, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: understanding grand theft, vista grand theft lawyer, grand theft defense oceanside, theft crimes in california, grand theft california, california grand theft charges

Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer in San Diego

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

San Diego expungement lawyer

A criminal conviction will remain on your record unless it is expunged under the law. However, thanks to a law (SB 731) that took effect in 2023, many people will now be eligible for the automatic expungement of their criminal records. The new law even allows those convicted of a felony and sent to state […]

Filed Under: The CA Legal System, DUI / FELONY DUI, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: drunk driving expungement in san diego, vista dui expungement lawyer, san diego expungement lawyer, dui, drunk driving, record expungement, dui expungement, dui expungement in vista

Hazing Under California Penal Code 245.6 (PC)

January 24, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

fraternity hazing attorney san diego

One of the first things many people associate with fraternities is the centuries-old tradition of hazing new pledges. Still, after multiple student deaths related to hazing activities occurred throughout the country, many states, including California, started banning dangerous initiation rituals. Hazing has a lot of different meanings, but for most people, it brings to mind […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Gang Crimes, Assault and Battery, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: hazing defense attorney san diego, hazing laws california, frats and hazing, fraternity hazing laws, fraternity hazing lawyer, hazing practices in california

CSI in Real Life Vs TV Myths

January 23, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

challenging evidence against you

Crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Dexter, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds have allowed the public to explore the work of forensic science labs. The only problem? What makes for good television doesn’t really reflect the realities of crime scene investigation units. Many investigation techniques seen on screen are exaggerated or outright fabricated, but many […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: misconceptions, wrong, forensic myths, lies, forensic science, debunking myths, myths

Online Stalking Laws in California: San Diego Cyberstalking Attorney

January 20, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego Cyberstalking Attorney: cyberstalking laws California

California’s stalking law, Penal Code 646.9 (PC), prohibits the intentional, malicious, and repetitive following or harassing of another person paired with a credible threat. A subset of the overall stalking law covers cyberstalking performed on an electronic device like a computer or cell phone. If you have been accused of online harassment or stalking in […]

Filed Under: Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: computer crimes, cyberstalking laws in california, cyberstalking, online stalking, online crimes, stalking crimes, white collar crimes, cyberstalking defense in Vista, Vista cyberstalking defense attorney

Jaywalking is Legal in California As of January 1, 2023

December 31, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

California ending jaywalking laws

Police tend to use jaywalking tickets as a pretext to stop African American pedestrians. By decriminalizing jaywalking, this problem could be erased without making the streets any more dangerous for pedestrians.

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System Tagged With: pretext stops, laws, jaywalking, selective policing, pedestrians, california, racism, discrimination

What Interrogation Techniques do Police Use?

December 23, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

police interrogation tactics

When you are accused of a crime, the police will often work on coaxing you to confess —even if you didn’t actually do it. To do this, police officers rely on several tried and true interview techniques, such as the well-known good cop/bad cop technique. While a skilled criminal defense attorney may be able to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, San Diego Juvenile Crimes Lawyer, The CA Legal System, Federal Crimes Lawyers in Vista, VIOLENT CRIMES Tagged With: police questioning, police intimidation techniques, coaxing a confession, the reid technique, good cop/bad cop, right to silence, informal questioning, tricking suspects, right to an attorney, interrogation tactics, police procedures in San Diego

Petty Theft In California: 484 (PC)

December 22, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

san diego theft defense

In California, the severity of a theft crime is based on the value of the stolen money, goods, or services. If the property is valued at less than $950, the offense is considered petty theft, a misdemeanor crime. Anyone charged with petty theft should call a skilled criminal defense attorney in San Diego to discuss […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Theft Defense, THEFT CRIMES Tagged With: petty theft, what is petty theft in california, theft defense, taking $950 or less, 484 pc

High BAC DUI Enhancements in California

December 21, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

high bac dui enhancement

It’s common for people to still feel sober after only one or two drinks, even though their BAC is over 0.08%. But when your BAC is nearly twice that, pretty much anyone should be able to recognize that they are too intoxicated to drive. Additionally, drunk driving becomes dramatically more dangerous as a person’s BAC […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Sentencing Tagged With: duis with high bacs, dui enhancements, high bac, penalty enhancements, .15 bac, .2 bac, high bac duis, high bac enhancement

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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 35 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 defended many high profile 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 Espanol.

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
    • Drug DUI
    • DUI Evidence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
    • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • White Collar Crimes
    • Fraud Cases
    • Embezzlement
    • Identity Theft
    • Computer Crimes
  • Theft Crimes
    • Petty Theft
    • Grand Theft
    • Shoplifting
    • Robbery
    • Burglary
  • Drug Charges
    • Possession
    • Trafficking
  • Violent Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Assault
    • Homicide
    • Hate Crimes
    • Gang Crimes
    • Third Strike FAQ
  • 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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  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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  • DRUG OFFENSES
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    • Gang Crimes
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Attorney Peter M. Liss,
(760) 643-4050
380 S Melrose Drive #301
Vista, CA 92081

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Copyright 2003, 2021 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 defense attorney.