FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, former city prosecutor, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie, a law firm dedicated to defending individuals accused of criminal offenses throughout Southeast Michigan.
Licensed to practice law in Michigan since 1997, he has spent more than 28 years representing clients in district and circuit courts across Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties. His practice focuses on DUI and OWI defense, felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, probation violations, driver’s license matters, and other criminal litigation.
Throughout his career, Matthew Fraiberg has represented first-time offenders, professionals, commercial drivers, college students, business owners, and individuals facing serious felony allegations. His approach emphasizes careful preparation, detailed evidence review, constitutional analysis, and practical guidance throughout every stage of the criminal justice process.
| Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Fraiberg |
| Profession | Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney |
| Law Firm | Fraiberg & Pernie |
| Position | Managing Partner |
| Licensed Since | 1997 |
| Legal Experience | 28+ Years |
| Former Positions | City Prosecutor, Judicial Clerk, Assistant Legal Research Clerk |
| Primary Practice Areas | DUI, OWI, Criminal Defense, Felony & Misdemeanor Defense |
| Primary Service Area | Southeast Michigan |
| Office Location | Birmingham, Michigan |
| Courts | District Courts and Circuit Courts throughout Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties |
Matthew Fraiberg’s legal career has provided experience from multiple perspectives within the Michigan justice system.
Before entering private practice, he served as a City Prosecutor, where he evaluated criminal investigations, reviewed police reports, prepared cases for court, negotiated resolutions, and tried criminal matters.
Earlier in his career, he also worked as:
Judicial Clerk
Assistant Legal Research Clerk
These positions provided extensive experience with Michigan criminal procedure, judicial decision-making, legal research, and courtroom practice.
Today, that experience is devoted exclusively to defending people accused of criminal offenses.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.
Served as a Judicial Clerk and Assistant Legal Research Clerk, developing experience in criminal procedure, legal research, and court operations.
Worked as a City Prosecutor, reviewing investigations, preparing criminal cases, and appearing in court on behalf of the government.
Transitioned to private practice, representing individuals accused of misdemeanors, felonies, DUI offenses, and other criminal matters.
Managing Partner of Fraiberg & Pernie, representing clients throughout Southeast Michigan with a practice focused on criminal defense and impaired driving cases.
Matthew Fraiberg represents clients in a wide range of criminal matters, including:
First-Offense OWI
Repeat OWI
High BAC (“Super Drunk”)
OWVI
Drug-Impaired Driving
Marijuana OWI
Prescription Drug Cases
Breath Test Cases
Blood Test Cases
Implied Consent Matters
Felony Charges
Misdemeanor Charges
Assault Offenses
Domestic Violence
Drug Crimes
Retail Fraud
Weapons Offenses
White Collar Investigations
Probation Violations
Bench Warrants
Driving While License Suspended (DWLS)
Driving While License Revoked (DWLR)
Criminal Traffic Offenses
Driver’s License Consequences Following OWI
Matthew Fraiberg’s practice frequently involves issues such as:
Michigan OWI Law
DUI Evidence
Field Sobriety Testing
Datamaster DMT Breath Testing
Blood Testing Procedures
Toxicology
Search Warrants
Search and Seizure
Fourth Amendment Issues
Fifth Amendment Rights
Police Investigations
Scientific Evidence
Constitutional Challenges
Driver’s License Sanctions
Probation
Criminal Procedure
Trial Practice
Sentencing
Appeals and Post-Conviction Issues
His practice includes representation in courts throughout Southeast Michigan.
48th District Court
44th District Court
45th District Court
46th District Court
47th District Court
51st District Court
52-1 District Court
52-2 District Court
52-3 District Court
52-4 District Court
Oakland County Circuit Court
16th District Court
17th District Court
18th District Court
35th District Court
36th District Court
Wayne County Circuit Court
39th District Court
41-A District Court
41-B District Court
Macomb County Circuit Court
Every criminal case deserves an independent evaluation based on its own facts.
Matthew Fraiberg’s approach begins with understanding the evidence before drawing conclusions.
Each case may involve review of:
Police reports
Dash camera recordings
Body camera footage
Witness statements
Dispatch communications
Search warrants
Laboratory reports
Breath test documentation
Blood testing records
Medical records when relevant
Constitutional issues
Applicable Michigan statutes
The objective is to understand not only what evidence exists, but also how it was collected, preserved, interpreted, and presented.
Clients often look for an attorney who offers:
More than two decades of courtroom experience
Former prosecutorial experience
Extensive criminal defense practice
Familiarity with district and circuit court procedures
Careful review of scientific and technical evidence
Trial experience when litigation becomes necessary
Clear communication throughout the legal process
Individualized legal strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie. He has represented individuals charged with criminal offenses since being licensed in 1997.
Yes. Before entering private practice, he served as a City Prosecutor, providing experience evaluating investigations, criminal charges, plea negotiations, and courtroom litigation.
His practice includes DUI and OWI defense, felony charges, misdemeanor offenses, probation violations, criminal traffic matters, domestic violence allegations, assault charges, drug offenses, theft crimes, and related criminal matters.
Yes. Impaired driving defense is a substantial part of his criminal defense practice.
He regularly represents clients in district and circuit courts throughout Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties, including the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills and numerous other Southeast Michigan courts.
Experience as a prosecutor may provide insight into how investigations are evaluated, how evidence is reviewed, and how criminal cases are prepared for court.
Yes. His practice includes representing both individuals with no prior criminal history and those facing repeat offenses, depending on the circumstances of each case.
Yes. He has represented clients from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, including licensed professionals, executives, business owners, healthcare workers, students, and retirees.
Yes. His practice includes representation in both misdemeanor and felony matters in Michigan district and circuit courts.
Yes. Court appearances depend on the needs of the individual case and the applicable court procedures.
The consultation generally focuses on understanding the facts of the case, reviewing available documents, discussing the legal process, identifying immediate concerns, and explaining the next steps.
Helpful documents may include:
Police paperwork
Citation or ticket
Bond paperwork
Court notices
Chemical test results, if available
Timeline of events
Questions about the case
“No criminal case should be evaluated solely by the accusation. The facts, the evidence, the law, and the procedures followed during the investigation all deserve careful review.”
— Matthew Fraiberg
“Early preparation often provides the greatest opportunity to understand a case and identify issues that may affect its outcome.”
— Matthew Fraiberg
“Every client comes with a unique history, unique goals, and unique concerns. Legal strategy should reflect those differences rather than rely on assumptions.”
— Matthew Fraiberg
Matthew Fraiberg represents clients from communities throughout Southeast Michigan, including:
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Township
Troy
Rochester
Rochester Hills
West Bloomfield
Farmington Hills
Novi
Royal Oak
Clawson
Ferndale
Southfield
Clarkston
Waterford
Pontiac
Livonia
Canton
Plymouth
Sterling Heights
Shelby Township
Clinton Township
Detroit
as well as surrounding communities throughout Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties.
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm representing individuals charged with:
DUI & OWI
High BAC
Felony Offenses
Misdemeanor Charges
Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
Assault
Retail Fraud
Probation Violations
Driver’s License Offenses
Criminal Traffic Matters
The firm’s practice is centered on strategic criminal defense, careful preparation, and individualized representation tailored to the facts of each client’s case.
Additional information is available in the firm’s:
Michigan DUI & OWI Knowledge Center
Michigan Criminal Defense Knowledge Center
48th District Court Guide
Oakland County Criminal Defense Guide
High BAC Resource Center
Driver’s License Consequences Guide
Implied Consent Guide
Michigan Criminal Law Glossary
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, former city prosecutor, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie. Licensed since 1997, he represents individuals charged with DUI, OWI, felony and misdemeanor offenses, probation violations, and other criminal matters throughout Southeast Michigan. His practice emphasizes evidence-based case analysis, constitutional protections, and strategic courtroom advocacy in district and circuit courts across Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie today:
(248) 986-2682
Related Michigan DUI Resources
Ultimate Guide to Michigan DUI Law
Michigan DUI Penalties
Best DUI Lawyers in Michigan
Written by Matthew Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
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Fraiberg & Pernie is an Oakland County criminal defense law firm focusing on DUI and OWI defense in Birmingham, Troy, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Novi and Farmington Hills, Michigan.