Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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    • Sex Crime Defense
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    • Traffic Crimes
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    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Offenses
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      • The Three Strikes Law
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Could the Us Use Income-Based Fines for Crimes?

May 30, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A large pile of cash

An old expression says that if a crime is punishable by a fine, it’s only illegal for the poor. That idea can be very problematic in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where there is such a massive disparity between the incredibly rich and the incredibly poor. Under traditional penalty structures, the […]

Filed Under: HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, FAQs Tagged With: criminal justice reforms, court, infractions, court fines, how courts work, California criminal process, misdemeanors

Will Your Car be Impounded After a DUI in Vista, California?

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

What Will Happen to Your Car After a DUI Arrest

When you’re arrested for drunk driving, the police aren’t about to let you get back in the vehicle and drive it back to the station. So what happens to your car after a DUI arrest? Well, that depends on a few things, but when you are arrested for driving under the influence, your vehicle could […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Traffic Stops Tagged With: driving, sentencing, penalties, after the arrest, dui

DUI Car Accident Charges in Vista: 191.5(a), 191.5(b), and 23153 (PC)

March 14, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

DUI with accident lawyer

California legislators, police, and prosecutors do whatever they can to discourage drivers from operating vehicles while intoxicated. When drivers ignore these efforts and cause an accident while driving under the influence, they face much heavier consequences. In fact, when the driver causes an accident that results in even minor injuries, the charges are often filed […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: defenses, alcohol, dui, bodily harm, driving, dui with accident, accidents

How to Help Protect Undocumented People You Care About from ICE

January 31, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

If you’ve been spurred to action to help protect their neighbors, friends, and family members who may be targeted by the ramped up ICE raids, do your research before taking action. While social media users have a lot of “advice” for how to protect people from ICE and Border Patrol raids, much of their suggestions […]

Filed Under: FEDERAL CRIMES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: better understanding the law, federal crimes, politics, warrants, defense of others, police, know your rights

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

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: rape, child molestation, california laws, sex offenders, sex crimes, megans law

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

Is Return Fraud a Crime in California?

January 14, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A woman's hand holding a credit card in a billing terminal to illustrate return fraud laws in california

Around 15% of all merchandise purchased from retailers ends up being returned, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). While businesses may be willing to accommodate unhappy consumers returning low-quality items or ill-fitting clothing, few are prepared for the rising amount of return fraud. In fact, in 2008, the NRF estimated 8% of returns were […]

Filed Under: THEFT CRIMES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE Tagged With: misdemeanors, felonies, theft, grand theft, petty theft, shoplifting, fraud

Need a San Diego Marijuana Attorney?

January 13, 2025 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

San Diego marijuana crimes attorney

With different rules for those using pot for medicinal or recreational purposes, California marijuana laws can be very confusing. Meanwhile, possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of marijuana for any reason is still illegal under federal law. To clarify things, San Diego criminal attorney Peter Liss has put together this guide on recreational and medical marijuana […]

Filed Under: DRUG OFFENSES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: open container laws, health and safety, drug sales, diversion programs, drug trafficking, drug crimes, dui with drugs, public intoxication, drug possession, marijuana

Street Racing Charges in San Diego: 23109 (VC)

December 20, 2024 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

speed contests defense lawyer

Teens and young adults have always participated in street racing to some extent. However, in recent decades, drag racing and unauthorized car shows, known as “street takeovers” and “sideshows,” have become increasingly common. San Diego police have stepped up enforcement by creating a dedicated street racing task force to combat these activities. At the same […]

Filed Under: DRIVING OFFENSES Tagged With: reasonable suspicion, driving, defenses, reckless driving, juvenile crimes, enhancements

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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

Fight for your freedom without draining your wallet! I offer affordable rates and 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
  • 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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    • Computer Crimes
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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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