VISTA TRAFFIC VIOLATION Lawyer
I am criminal traffic defense lawyer Peter M. Liss, and I can help you if you have been arrested or received a ticket for a misdemeanor or felony traffic offense anywhere in San Diego County. I have tried over 100 jury trials and successfully defended many individuals with their cases involving criminal traffic charges in Vista and San Diego.
If you need a defense attorney with experience handling serious traffic crimes like these, please call me today for a free consultation. I provide all clients top quality representation for a reasonable fee and accept all major credit cards.
What to Know About Serious Driving Offenses in San Diego
While most traffic offenses are merely infractions, punishable through a fine only, certain cases are much more consequential and can leave you in jail or even prison. If you have been accused of a felony or misdemeanor traffic violation in San Diego County, California, you require the exemplary level of representation that only an experienced lawyer can provide.
Some of the most common misdemeanor and felony traffic crimes in San Diego County include:
- Reckless Driving
- Hit & Run Accident
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Vehicular Homicide
- Driving with an Open Container
- Joyriding
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Evading the Police
- Street Drag Racing / Speed Contest
- Driving with Fraudulent Registration
Road Rage Crimes in San Diego
While road rage is a common cause of vehicle-related criminal charges, it is not a crime in itself but is instead charged based on what occurred during the incident, including reckless driving, vehicular homicide or attempted murder. The most common road rage charge is assault with a deadly weapon, a serious felony crime that can result in a lifetime revocation of your driver’s license.
Penalties for Criminal Driving Offenses in California
Serious driving crimes can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the specific circumstances of the incident (such as whether or not someone was injured), the laws that were broken and whether or not the defendant has previous similar convictions on their record. Punishments include:
- massive fines
- lengthy probation periods
- suspension of your driver’s license
- incarceration
- mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
For some offenses, such as racing or drug transportation, the State of California may seize and sell your vehicle.
Knowing Your Rights is Important
Many people are stopped for a traffic violation like speeding or driving with a broken tail light and then face a misdemeanor or felony when the officer discovers drugs, concealed weapons, open alcohol containers or other illegal items inside the vehicle. Most people are surprised to learn that the police do not need a warrant to search your car and sometimes assume a warrantless search will result in the charges being dropped. While that is not true, it is true that if the police did not have a legal, reasonable suspicion to stop you or probable cause to search the vehicle, your lawyer may be able to have the charges dropped.
Police Must Have a Reasonable Suspicion
Police must have a reasonable suspicion before stopping and probable cause before searching a vehicle; if they do not, you may have solid legal grounds to challenge many driving-related charges, such as carjacking, drug transportation, grand theft auto or car insurance fraud. If you suspect the initial police stop or the police search of your vehicle was illegal, be sure to mention this to your attorney as it could be the basis of your criminal defense.
Real Emergencies Provide a Full Defense
If you were driving recklessly due to a genuine medical emergency, this defense can fully justify the crime, if you can prove the crisis was real and sufficiently serious. It is essential not to attempt to mount this defense without first talking to a San Diego traffic defense attorney, as it is easy to say something that can destroy your defense accidentally.
Contact a Traffic Attorney in San Diego Now
Sentencing for these cases can be particularly severe, especially for dangerous crimes like those involving road rage. Anyone charged with a criminal traffic violation in Vista, California must call experienced defense lawyers as soon as possible. Do not attempt to fight criminal driving charges alone under the mistaken assumption that because they are traffic related, they are no big deal. Alternative sentencing, including probation or community service, is often a sentencing option for driving crimes in San Diego, but it is often difficult to secure such sentences unless your traffic lawyer fights to help you obtain the best results given the specific circumstances of your case.
Vista Traffic Crimes Lawyer
Fight these Charges Now
Your attorney’s knowledge of the law, sentencing guidelines, alternative sentence options and defenses to these types of crimes is critical to helping you obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
Defenses to Traffic Crimes
In many cases, the best option for those charged with felony or misdemeanor traffic offenses is to work out a plea bargain to minimize their sentence. But in some cases, you might be able to fight the charges altogether, especially if you were illegally stopped or your rights were otherwise violated. For example, just flipping off the police without violating any other laws is not enough to justify a traffic stop.
I’m available, let’s talkWhy Hire Me
Top San Diego Traffic Attorney
When you work with me, I remain dedicated to helping you in every way I can, which may include:
- Keeping you updated on the status of your case at all times
- Providing advice on things that may help your case, such as seeking out an alcohol treatment program
- Securing reduced bail so you can be released from custody as soon as possible
- Collecting evidence to support your defense
- Fighting your license revocation at the DMV hearing by presenting evidence on your behalf
- Working with you to determine the best possible defense for your situation, which may vary based on your circumstances, but could include illegal stops or searches, proof that you were not driving or mistakes on behalf of the arresting officer
- Filing court motions to do things such as suppress illegally obtained evidence, which could result in your case being dismissed or the charges against you being dropped
- Using the most vigorous possible defenses while working to negotiate for the best possible plea bargain or while defending you in court during a trial
- Attempting to minimize your sentence or secure alternative sentences such as treatment programs, ankle monitors or community service
The Right Defense for You
Aside from offering you the most effective representation to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case, I also assure you will receive personalized attention since I personally handle every case that goes through my doors.
Experience You Can Rely On
I have over 35 years of experience and graduated from the top-rated University of California, Berkeley Law School. My office offers 24 hour live-answering services, and I provide immediate, courteous responses to all inquiries. Schedule a free initial consultation at my office, located directly across the street from the Vista Courthouse and Jail and offers free parking.
How to Contact Attorney Peter Liss
For skilled, IMMEDIATE help with a Vista or San Diego criminal traffic defense, call criminal traffic defense lawyer Peter M. Liss:
Call 24/7, any time, any day. I can help you.