FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Former City Prosecutor & Police Officer
DUI & Criminal Defense Firm
⭐ 4.9/5 Google Rating - Fraiberg & Pernie – Michigan Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyers
Oakland County Criminal Defense and OWI Lawyers
Former Prosecutor. Former Police Officer. Local Defense.
Fraiberg & Pernie defends OWI and criminal cases in Oakland County, including cases in the 48th District Court. Managing partner Matthew Fraiberg is a former city prosecutor and judicial clerk licensed in Michigan since 1997. Co-founder Eric L. Pernie is a former police officer. The firm is based in Birmingham, Michigan, and also meets clients in Oak Park by appointment only.
If you have been arrested or accused of a crime, the attorneys examine the evidence, the police investigation, and the court handling your case. Call 248-986-2682 to request a confidential consultation.
Why Clients Choose Fraiberg & Pernie
- Attorney experience: Matthew has practiced law in Michigan since 1997 and previously served as a city prosecutor, judicial clerk, and assistant legal research clerk working with judges in Oakland County Circuit Court.
- Police experience: Eric’s background as a former police officer informs the firm’s review of traffic stops, arrests, reports, video, and evidence collection.
- Local court familiarity: The firm handles cases in the 48th District Court and other Oakland County district and circuit courts.
- Evidence-focused preparation: The attorneys review reports, video, witness accounts, chemical tests, and potential constitutional issues.
- Direct communication: Ask during your consultation which attorney will primarily handle your matter and how the firm will keep you informed.
Review the firm’s Michigan criminal-defense case results. Each case depends on its own facts; prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.
Fraiberg & Pernie at a Glance
- Law firm: Fraiberg & Pernie
- Primary focus: Criminal defense, DUI and OWI defense, and felony defense
- Attorneys: Matthew Fraiberg and Eric L. Pernie
- Background: Former city prosecutor and judicial clerk; former police officer
- Main office: Birmingham, Michigan
- Additional meeting location: Oak Park, Michigan, by appointment only
- Service area: Oakland County; also Wayne and Macomb Counties
- Phone: 248-986-2682
What Should You Do After an Arrest in Michigan?
Short answer: Remain calm, clearly exercise your right to remain silent, follow bond and court conditions, preserve potential evidence, and speak with a criminal-defense attorney promptly.
- Do not resist or interfere with officers.
- Do not try to explain the incident without legal advice.
- Follow all bond, testing, and court requirements.
- Save tickets, court papers, messages, photographs, receipts, and possible video.
- Write down important events while they are fresh in your memory.
- Avoid discussing the case on social media.
- Ask an attorney about urgent license, hearing, or evidence-preservation deadlines.
General court information is available from the Michigan Judicial Branch.
Meet the Attorneys
Matthew Fraiberg
Matthew Fraiberg is the managing partner and a Michigan criminal-defense and OWI attorney. Licensed since 1997, he previously served as a city prosecutor, judicial clerk, and assistant legal research clerk working with judges in Oakland County Circuit Court. He also serves in the Managed Assigned Counsel system connected with the 48th District Court.
Matthew handles OWI and DUI cases, felony and misdemeanor matters, probation violations, warrants, criminal traffic charges, and cases involving driver’s-license consequences. His experience helps him evaluate how the prosecution may view a case, how a court may analyze a legal issue, and where the defense can challenge the evidence.
Eric L. Pernie
Eric L. Pernie is a co-founder and Michigan criminal-defense attorney. Before becoming a lawyer, he served as a police officer. His experience informs the firm’s review of traffic stops, field-sobriety testing, arrests, reports, body-camera footage, and evidence collection.
The attorneys compare written reports with available recordings and other evidence to identify facts and procedures that may matter to the defense.
Oakland County OWI and DUI Defense
Michigan commonly uses OWI, meaning operating while intoxicated; many people use DUI to describe the same type of charge. Fraiberg & Pernie defends cases brought under Michigan’s operating-while-intoxicated law, MCL 257.625, including:
- First- and repeat-offense OWI
- High BAC or “Super Drunk” driving
- Operating while visibly impaired (OWVI)
- Drugged driving
- Felony third-offense OWI
- Implied-consent refusals
- Breath-test and blood-test cases
- Related driver’s-license consequences
Depending on the case, a defense review may examine the reason for the stop, driving observations, video, field-sobriety instructions, breath-device records, blood-draw and laboratory records, witness statements, and whether the prosecution can prove the charge. The strategy depends on the actual evidence, the person’s history, and the court involved.
Read the Ultimate Guide to Michigan OWI and DUI Law for more detail.
Oakland County Criminal Defense
The firm represents people facing:
- Felony charges and misdemeanor charges
- Domestic violence and assault allegations
- Drug, theft, retail-fraud, and weapons charges
- Probation violations and warrants
- Reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and other criminal traffic offenses
The attorneys assess the allegations, witness accounts, police conduct, video and forensic evidence, searches, and statements attributed to the accused. A defense should reflect the charge, evidence, client’s priorities, and local court.
Oakland County Courts and Communities
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients in Oakland County district and circuit courts, including:
- 48th District Court: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, and other communities within its jurisdiction
- 44th District Court: Royal Oak and Berkley
- 46th District Court: Southfield
- 47th District Court: Farmington Hills
- 50th District Court: Pontiac
- 51st District Court: Waterford
- 52-1 District Court: Novi, South Lyon, and surrounding communities
- 52-2 District Court: Clarkston and northern Oakland County communities
- 52-3 District Court: Rochester Hills and surrounding communities
- 52-4 District Court: Troy and Clawson
- Oakland County Circuit Court: Pontiac
The firm also serves clients from Oak Park, Ferndale, and other Oakland County communities. It represents clients in Wayne and Macomb Counties as well; the court named on your paperwork determines where your case is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call after an OWI arrest in Oakland County?
Contact a lawyer who handles Michigan OWI cases and is familiar with the court involved. Ask who will personally handle your case, how the evidence will be obtained and reviewed, and whether any license, bond, testing, or hearing deadlines require immediate attention.
Can an OWI or criminal charge be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes. A possible reduction or dismissal depends on the charge, facts, available evidence, applicable law, and decisions made in the case. No lawyer can promise a particular result.
Can an OWI affect my Michigan driver’s license?
Yes. Consequences vary with the charge and prior record and may include restrictions, suspension, revocation, ignition interlock, or a separate implied-consent proceeding. Ask counsel to review any time-sensitive notice you received.
What if I am being investigated but have not been charged?
You can consult an attorney before charges are issued. Counsel can advise you about contact with investigators and preservation of evidence.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Bring tickets, bond paperwork, court notices, testing instructions, and information about deadlines. Tell the lawyer about prior convictions or license issues and any video, messages, photos, or witnesses that may matter.
Will Matthew Fraiberg or Eric Pernie handle my case?
The firm emphasizes direct attorney involvement. During the consultation, ask which attorney will be primarily responsible and whether both will work on the matter.
Does hiring Fraiberg & Pernie guarantee a particular result?
No. Outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, law, and circumstances of the case. Prior case results cannot guarantee a future outcome.
Facing an OWI or DUI charge? Learn how Fraiberg & Pernie approaches Oakland County OWI defense, including the evidence, driver’s-license issues, and local courts that may affect your case.
Speak With Fraiberg & Pernie
If you face an OWI, DUI, felony, misdemeanor, domestic-violence charge, warrant, probation violation, investigation, or serious traffic offense, the firm can discuss the accusation, court process, and possible defense options.
Birmingham office: 1000 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 103, Birmingham, MI 48009.
Oak Park meetings: By appointment only. Call to arrange a location and time.
Call 248-986-2682 to request a confidential consultation.
Written and reviewed by: Matthew Fraiberg, Michigan criminal-defense and OWI attorney licensed since 1997; former city prosecutor and judicial clerk.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Attorney advertising. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Viewing it or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes.
Our Attorneys
A Former Prosecutor and a Former Police Officer
Matthew Fraiberg
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal-defense and OWI attorney who has practiced law since 1997. His background includes serving as a city prosecutor, judicial clerk and assistant legal research clerk in the Oakland County Circuit Court. For more than 29 years, Matthew has represented people facing OWI, DUI, felony, misdemeanor, probation-violation, warrant and criminal-traffic matters. He represents clients throughout Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties, with particular experience in the district and circuit courts of Southeast Michigan. Matthew understands the stress and uncertainty that follow an arrest. His approach combines careful evidence review, practical advice, local court knowledge and direct communication with each client.
Eric L. Pernie
About Eric L Pernie Attorney Eric Pernie is a true state native, born and raised in Michigan. He attended Ferris State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude. While he was there, he worked hard for his criminal justice degree while simultaneously being an active member of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
News & Events
Stay up-to-date on our latest articles, press releases, and frequently asked questions.
Arrested for an OWI? If you were arrested for OWI or DUI in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township,…
Quick Answer If you have a warrant for your arrest in Oakland County, Michigan, you should contact an…
Quick Answer: If you are arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Novi, Michigan, your case will generally…
Looking for a 5-Star OWI Lawyer in Oakland County? If you were arrested for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated)…
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm dedicated to defending individuals charged with DUI, drug crimes, assault offenses, domestic violence, white collar crimes, and other felony or misdemeanor charges. The firm represents clients throughout Oakland County, Macomb County, Wayne County, and Metro Detroit. If you need an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney, Fraiberg & Pernie provides aggressive legal representation focused on protecting your freedom, record, and future.
