Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Can Gum Throw Off a Breathalyzer?

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

can gum affect breathalyzer?

There are a lot of rumors about how gum may affect breathalyzer test results. Some people think chewing it before providing a breath test will help cover the odor of the alcohol, helping to lower their BAC. Others believe that the artificial sugars in gum contain alcohol and will, therefore, cause them to appear drunk, […]

Filed Under: DUI Lawyers Vista, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: breathalyzer, things that throw off the breathalyzer, bac, high breathalyzer results, gum, chewing gum, dui, bubble gum, drunk driving

Can Reasonable Suspicion be Based on an Anonymous 911 Tip?

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

Police Spying on Phone Calls

On any given Friday or Saturday night, you might see signs on the side of the freeway advising drivers to report anyone they suspect of drunk driving to 911. But can you really be stopped and arrested for drunk driving just because someone reported you to the police? And if so, are there other situations […]

Filed Under: DUI Lawyers Vista, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: 911 calls and duis, anonymous 911 tips, drunk driving calls to police, probable cause and duis, reasonable suspicion 911 call, anonymous tip reasonable suspicion

California Search and Seizure Laws

May 10, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

search and seizure laws california

For you to be charged with a crime, police must find enough evidence to indicate your guilt. For the charges to result in a conviction, the evidence must be strong enough to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While the California and US Constitutions protect citizens from illegal and unreasonable search and seizure, police […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, Computer Crimes, Traffic Stops, DRUG OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: california search and seizure laws, police violations, criminal defense, search and seizure laws in California, protecting your rights

Can You Drive Barefoot in California?

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

barefoot driving isn't reckless

For some reason, it seems everyone has heard that it is illegal to drive barefoot in California —or in some other state in the U.S. Sometimes, the person spreading these rumors claims it’s an infraction, other times, they may sometimes say it’s even considered to be a form of reckless driving. But if you’ve been afraid to […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Traffic Offenses, DUI Lawyers Vista, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, Reckless Driving, Traffic Stops Tagged With: reckless driving, driving barefoot, driving without shoes, driving shoeless, urban legends

California Law About Portable Breathalyzer Screening Tests

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

portable breathalyzer laws californnia

Under California law, anyone accused of drunk driving must submit to a chemical test to determine their level of intoxication or their license will be automatically suspended for one year. But while you are required to submit to a blood or breath test, some breathalyzers used by police officers are only intended as preliminary alcohol […]

Filed Under: DUI Lawyers Vista, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: breathalyzers, portable breathalyzers, california portable breathalyzer laws, breathalyzer laws in california, pas, preliminary alcohol screener, underage dui

What Happens to the Passengers in a DUI? Can They go to Jail Too?

March 31, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on January 3, 2023

Passengers in a DUI

Many people pulled over for drunk driving aren’t alone in the car. While most people aren’t surprised to learn that a driver can face additional charges if the passengers are minors, they are often surprised to discover that adult passengers of a drunk driver can sometimes complicate DUI arrest investigations and may even be charged […]

Filed Under: DUI Lawyers Vista, DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: drunk driving, passengers in dui, dui passengers, riding in car with drunk driver

Can Your Migraine Leave You Facing DUI Charges?

March 12, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on January 3, 2023

migraines and DUIs

Migraines and cluster headaches are debilitating conditions that don’t just cause pain, but also other symptoms that make many sufferers want to do nothing more than squirrel themselves away in a dark room. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t aren’t able to go into another room when a migraine strikes, but instead have to find a […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: migraines and dui, duis, medications and dui, migraine medications, reasons for police stops, medical conditions, cluster headaches

Putting an End to Police Pretext Stops in California

March 1, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on January 3, 2023

stopping police pretext stops

Police can stop motorists for a variety of reasons, including minor issues such as not using a turn signal, having a broken tail light, having window tinting on your windows or similar issues. These stops for minor crimes are considered “pretext” stops because police usually use these issues as a pretext to hopefully find evidence […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Traffic Offenses, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, Traffic Stops Tagged With: traffic stops, california search and seizure laws, racism, search and seizure, broken taillight, pretext traffic stops, policing, racial disparities, minor crimes, policing reform, tail light

7 Mistakes Police Can Make During a DUI Arrest

January 30, 2021 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on January 3, 2023

police dui mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, including police officers involved in DUI arrests, but because these mistakes can sometimes affect people’s civil rights, they need to be taken very seriously. In fact, if an officer involved in your DUI traffic stop or arrest made one of these serious mistakes, be sure to tell your attorney as it could […]

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: dui traffic stops, police mistakes, fighting dui charges, dui, police

Fighting DUI Arrests from Checkpoints in San Diego

August 27, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on January 4, 2023

fighting dui checkpoint arrests in San Diego

If you have been charged with drunk driving after going through a DUI checkpoint, I can help you fight the charges.

Filed Under: DUI / FELONY DUI, Traffic Stops Tagged With: fighting drunk driving charges at checkpoints, San Diego DUI checkpoint lawyer, checkpoints in san diego, dui checkpoints, sobriety checkpoints

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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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    • DUI Lawyers Vista
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    • Reckless Driving
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  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
  • WHITE COLLAR CRIME
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    • Fraud Charges
  • DRUG OFFENSES
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    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
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    • Weapons Charges
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    • Sex Crimes Involving Children
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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.