Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

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Special Murder Circumstances that Can Result in the Death Penalty in CA

September 26, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

special circumstances resulting in the death penalty in california

Have you ever wondered why some people get the death penalty for murder while others do not? The answer comes down to the specifics of the crime. That’s because in California, while capital punishment is still fully legal, it is only applicable in a handful of murder cases involving specific special circumstances detailed in California […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Gang Crimes, The CA Legal System, Rape, Hate Crimes, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES, THEFT CRIMES, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: california law, death penalty, special circumstances, when can you get the death penalty in california, capital muder, difference between capital murder and first degree murder

Is Making a Racist 9-11 Call a Type of Hate Crime?

June 19, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

hate crimes and racist 911 calls

Falsely reporting a crime is already illegal, but given that police encounters with some groups, particularly persons of color, are more likely to end in violence, should it be a hate crime for someone to make a racist 9-11 call? This could be the case in New York if a proposed law is passed and […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, The CA Legal System, Hate Crimes, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: hate crimes, california law, racism, black lives matter, racist 9-11 calls, interactions with the police, potential laws

Defending Against Crimes Related to the Coronavirus in San Diego

March 31, 2020 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

In our continuing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve talked about a number of crimes related to the coronavirus, including intentionally infecting others with a disease, breaking quarantine, looting and fraud. But as people have become increasingly worried about the risk of infection, we’re seeing new and sometimes unexpected crimes being committed as a result […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI / FELONY DUI, DRIVING OFFENSES, Hate Crimes, Reckless Driving, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, CORONAVIRUS NEWS Tagged With: dui, hate crimes, murder, homicide, coronavirus, Crimes Related to the Coronavirus, high fever, breathalyzer, imperfect self defense, temporary insanity, reckless driving, exigent circumstances

The Supreme Court Determines How Much Force Makes a Crime Violent

February 22, 2019 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

Oceanside violent crimes lawyer

The law frequently talks about “violent crimes,” but Oceanside violent crimes lawyers know that unless a crime is specifically defined as violent in the law itself, defining what is or is not violent can be a tricky task. That’s particularly true when trying to apply one state’s laws to another or to federal laws. A […]

Filed Under: Gang Crimes, Federal Crimes Lawyers in Vista, Hate Crimes, Homicide, Kidnapping, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, FEDERAL CRIMES Tagged With: oceanside criminal defense lawyers, criminal lawyers in oceanside, oceanside theft crimes lawyers, violent crimes attorneys oceanside, criminal defense attorney in oceanide, theft attorneys oceanside

Will a Case Get Dropped if a Victim Refuses to Testify?

October 19, 2018 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

A common question defendants particularly those in domestic violence cases) ask is whether their case will be dropped if the victim refuses to testify. This is especially true in domestic violence and sexual assault cases where the entire case may come down to one person’s account of events versus the other’s. The answer to this […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Gang Crimes, Sex Offenses, Rape, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Hate Crimes, VIOLENT CRIMES, SEX OFFENSES Tagged With: criminal law, domestic violence, victim refuses to testify, what happens if victim refuses to testify, can a victim refuse to testify, how courts work, dropping charges

The Most Common Juvenile Crimes in San Diego, California

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

We have already discussed some of the most common crimes committed in California, but juvenile offenders tend to violate different laws than their adult counterparts. Here are some of the most common charges seen in juvenile courts in San Diego. Assault and battery Teens have always resorted to violence to handle conflicts, but with increasing […]

Filed Under: DUI Lawyers Vista, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Theft Defense, Gang Crimes, DUI / FELONY DUI, Assault and Battery, Hate Crimes, DRUG OFFENSES, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, THEFT CRIMES, JUVENILE CRIME Tagged With: teenagers, most common juvenile crimes, common crimes committed by teens, crimes committed by kids, common criminal offenses

You Can’t Be Convicted for Acting in Defense of Others

November 28, 2016 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

It is illegal to use force against others in most cases, but one of the strongest criminal defenses to these crimes is arguing that you were acting in self defense. While most people know that you can claim that you acted in self defense in order to fight charges of violent crimes, including homicide, attempted murder, assault, […]

Filed Under: CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Gang Crimes, The CA Legal System, Assault and Battery, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, Hate Crimes, Homicide, VIOLENT CRIMES, Weapons Charges, LEGAL PROCEDURES Tagged With: carmel valley criminal lawyer, criminal lawyers in carmel valley, carmel valley violent crimes lawyer, violent crime defense attorneys in carmel valley

Did Don Draper Commit A Hate Crime By Hitting A Priest?

July 1, 2013 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss

In the newest Mad Men, Don Draper just spent a night behind bars for punching a priest while drunk. Though that may have been the full extent of his legal troubles related to the issue back in 1968 if Don were a modern man, he would be in a lot more hot water than that. […]

Filed Under: Assault and Battery, Hate Crimes, HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS Tagged With: san diego criminal lawyer, criminal attorneys in San Diego, hypothetical, don draper, mad men, san diego hate crimes lawyer

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
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    • Shoplifting
    • Robbery
    • Burglary
  • Drug Charges
    • Sales
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    • Trafficking
  • Violent Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Assault
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    • Gang Crimes
    • Third Strike FAQ
  • Criminal Traffic Offenses
    • Driving on a Suspended License
    • Hit and Run Accidents
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    • Vehicular Homicide
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    • Truancy
    • Vandalism
    • Minor in Possession

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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.