
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.
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.