Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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What is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)?

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

what is moral turpitude in California

Under both state and federal law, some offenses are considered “crimes of moral turpitude,” meaning they involve serious dishonesty, fraud, or something morally reprehensible. While the term may sound old-fashioned and outdated, it is still very relevant when it comes to the law, as it can result in additional post-conviction consequences. Unfortunately, what crimes fall […]

Filed Under: The CA Legal System, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, Assault and Battery, Rape, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, Homicide, Weapons Charges, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: legal concepts, professional licenses, moral turpitude, domestic violence, theft, fraud, white collar crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, the california legal system

What You Should Know About Gun Storage Laws in CA

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

california's gun storage laws

Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, there’s no denying that guns can and do kill people. To minimize the dangers of children and those prohibited from using firearms accessing these dangerous weapons, California has enacted many laws specifying how they should be stored and transported. The City of San Diego has even passed a […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, San Diego Juvenile Crimes Lawyer, The CA Legal System, Weapons Charges, VIOLENT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: gun rights, Gun Storage Laws in California, gun storage laws, gun laws, firearms, red flag laws in california, letting a minor access your gun without permission

What is The Difference Between Summary and Formal Probation?

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

Probation is one of the most common alternatives to incarceration and one of the most common sentences for both felonies and misdemeanors in California. But while people are usually familiar with the term, many don’t know what this sentence entails and how summary and formal probation differ. This overview offers a simple primer, but if […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, FAQs, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: how probation works, california probation system, summary and formal probation in vista, difference between summary and formal probation

What Happens if You Confess a Crime to a Therapist?

September 13, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Do Therapists Have to Report Crimes: Therapist Confidentiality and Crime Reporting

The US court system recognizes that some relationships deserve legal protections so the parties can be sufficiently open with one another. For example, a client must feel comfortable with their attorney to share all information that may be relevant in a case, spouses should be able to be entirely open with one another, Catholic priests […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: Limits to Therapist/Patient Confidentiality, confidentiality, privileged communications, privileged relationships, therapists, counselors, therapy, do therapists have to report crimes, therapist confidentiality and crime

Is it Illegal to Snoop Through Someone’s Phone in California?

September 11, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on November 8, 2023

Sometimes people worry their partner may be cheating and decide to spy on their spouse or lover to find out the truth. In the past, that often meant checking their letters, listening to phone conversations on another phone connected to the home’s landline, or hiring a private investigator to watch the potential cheater, but nowadays, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, Computer Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: snooping on someone's cell phone, phones, looking at a phone without permission, wiretaping, spyware, hacking

Life After a DUI in California

August 28, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

life after a dui in california

When most people consider the consequences of a DUI conviction, they only think about the immediate legal penalties. What they fail to take into account is how their life will change after a DUI conviction. When you look at the dramatic and devastating life changes you’ll likely go through after a conviction, it is easy to […]

Filed Under: The CA Legal System, DUI Lawyers Vista, DUI / FELONY DUI Tagged With: alcohol, california dui representation, Life After a DUI in California, changes to life after dui, dui, drunk driving

Juvenile DUI Laws in California

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

San Diego underage DUI lawyer

When it comes to juvenile DUI laws, California has some of the strictest laws in the country. Under the state’s Zero Tolerance policy, detailed under the state Vehicle Code section 23136 (VC), minors can be arrested and charged with drunk driving if they have even the slightest trace of alcohol in their system. If you […]

Filed Under: San Diego Juvenile Crimes Lawyer, The CA Legal System, DUI Lawyers Vista Tagged With: underage dui, zero tolerance law, minor dui, california bac, juvenile duis, drinking and driving while a minor, california dui laws

California Bigamy Law: 281 (PC)

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

Escondido criminal lawyers

California recognizes marriages between a man and a woman and two partners of the same sex. It does not, however, acknowledge marriages involving more than one person or those where one party is already married to someone else. Polygamy and bigamy are crimes in California, and if either person getting married knows that one of […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, Sex Offenses, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, SEX OFFENSES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: polygamy, marriage, polyamory, 281 pc, bigamy

Prison and Jail Escape Laws in California: 4530 and 4532 (PC)

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

It’s a TV trope seen in shows like Luke Cage, The Fugitive, Sense 8, and Prison Break; the main character is locked in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and must break out of prison to prove his innocence. But in real life, proving your innocence doesn’t mean you can just walk away after […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Hypotheticals, The CA Legal System, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: Escape, escape from jail, prison escape, escaping custody, innocent, prison, jail

The 10-20-Life Law of California

June 6, 2023 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

10-20-life rule

California Penal Code 12022.53 (PC), also known as the “10-20-Life” statute or “Use a Gun and You’re Done” law, adds additional penalties when you use a gun during the commission of certain crimes. When the law was originally enacted in 1998, it was very strict, and the penalty enhancements were mandatory. It has since been […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges Tagged With: gun enhancements, sentencing enhancements, enhancements, gun laws, firearms, gun crimes, weapons laws, penalties, 10-20-life, use a gun and you're done

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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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    • Hit and Run Accidents
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    • Street Racing
  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
  • WHITE COLLAR CRIME
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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.