FRAIBERG & PERNIE
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, OWVI, High BAC, Super Drunk driving, or drugged driving in Troy, Michigan, your misdemeanor case will generally be handled in the 52-4 District Court in Oakland County.
What happens next can affect more than the criminal charge.
Depending on the circumstances, you may face:
Matthew Fraiberg of Fraiberg & Pernie represents people charged with DUI and criminal offenses in Troy and throughout Oakland County. He has practiced Michigan criminal law since 1997 and previously served as a city prosecutor and judicial clerk.
His approach begins with a basic question:
What does the evidence actually prove?
An OWI arrest is serious, but an arrest is not a conviction. The police report is not the entire case, and a chemical-test number should not be evaluated in isolation.
Early defense should focus on protecting your rights, complying with bond, preserving evidence, addressing driver’s-license issues, and independently reviewing the prosecution’s case.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation with a Troy DUI lawyer.
Primary Court: 52-4 District Court
Location: Troy, Michigan
County: Oakland County
Law Firm: Fraiberg & Pernie
Attorney: Matthew Fraiberg
Experience: Practicing Michigan criminal law since 1997
Background: Former City Prosecutor • Former Judicial Clerk
Common Charges: OWI, OWVI, High BAC, Repeat OWI, Drugged Driving
Defense Focus: Traffic stop, video evidence, field sobriety testing, breath and blood evidence, constitutional issues, driver’s-license consequences
Phone: (248) 986-2682
Most misdemeanor DUI and OWI cases arising in Troy are handled in the 52-4 District Court.
The court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic matters and the preliminary stages of felony prosecutions within its jurisdiction.
A felony OWI allegation may begin in district court before later proceedings occur in Oakland County Circuit Court.
Knowing the court matters.
Michigan OWI law applies statewide, but individual courts may differ in their:
A defense strategy should therefore address both Michigan OWI law and the court where the case is actually pending.
Troy is not simply another residential suburb.
It is one of Oakland County’s major business and commercial centers.
Every day, drivers enter Troy for:
Major roads and traffic corridors include:
The area around Somerset Collection, Big Beaver Road and Troy’s hotel and corporate districts also generates substantial traffic from people who do not live in Troy.
That context can matter.
A driver may be unfamiliar with an exit, following GPS directions, looking for a hotel entrance, changing lanes in heavy traffic or navigating a complicated interchange.
Those circumstances do not automatically explain every driving observation.
But they can provide relevant context when evaluating why a vehicle moved the way an officer described.
Unusual driving is evidence to examine. It is not, by itself, proof of intoxication.
Many OWI cases do not begin because an officer already knows the driver has consumed alcohol.
They begin with a traffic observation.
Common reasons for a stop may include:
After approaching the vehicle, the officer may begin looking for signs of impairment.
The investigation can then expand to include:
Each stage should be reviewed separately.
A lawful traffic stop does not automatically establish probable cause to arrest.
And probable cause to arrest does not automatically establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Although every case is different, the process often includes several stages.
Police may request breath or blood testing after arrest.
The circumstances surrounding the test matter, including the type of test, timing, procedures used and whether a refusal is alleged.
At arraignment, the court may address:
The defense may obtain and review:
The case may involve negotiations, evidentiary review and motions.
Depending on the facts, a case may ultimately result in:
There is no single outcome that applies to every Troy OWI case.
Matthew Fraiberg has practiced criminal law in Michigan since 1997 and has represented clients throughout Oakland County, including matters pending in the 52-4 District Court.
Several practical lessons repeatedly matter.
In our experience handling DUI matters in the 52-4 District Court, preparation and compliance can become important alongside the underlying evidence.
If the court orders:
those requirements should be taken seriously.
A person can have legitimate defenses to the original OWI charge and still create a separate problem by violating bond.
Defend the charge without making the case harder while it is pending.
Troy’s business community means work travel is a common concern.
Clients may need to:
Employment does not automatically override a court order.
If travel or testing creates a conflict, identify the problem early enough to determine whether the court needs to address it.
Police reports are important evidence.
They are still written accounts of an event.
Body-camera and dash-camera footage can provide another perspective.
The video may show:
Sometimes the video supports the written report.
Sometimes it adds context.
Sometimes there are meaningful differences.
The only responsible approach is to review both.
If an alcohol-testing device or testing system fails, document what happened immediately.
Save:
A documented problem is easier to evaluate than a problem reconstructed weeks later.
A Troy DUI case involves more than knowing the text of Michigan’s OWI statutes.
Defense counsel must evaluate the evidence while also understanding the procedures, bond requirements, testing issues and progression of the case in the 52-4 District Court.
Matthew Fraiberg has represented criminal-defense clients throughout Oakland County for more than 28 years.
His approach includes detailed review of:
For someone searching for a Troy DUI lawyer, the important question is not simply whether an attorney handles DUI cases.
The better question is:
Does the attorney have the experience to identify weaknesses in the evidence and develop a strategy appropriate for the court where the case is actually pending?
There is rarely one piece of evidence that answers every question.
A proper review considers the case as a whole.
The defense should determine what the officer actually observed and whether the stop was legally justified.
Video and other objective evidence may be important.
The existence of a traffic violation does not automatically establish probable cause for an OWI arrest.
The officer’s observations and investigation should be reviewed.
Performance can be affected by:
The tests should be evaluated in their actual setting.
Potential issues can include:
A BAC number is important evidence.
The process that produced the number is important too.
Blood cases may involve review of:
Scientific evidence should be evaluated scientifically.
This can be one of the most important questions in the case.
The defense should compare the officer’s written descriptions with what the available recordings actually show.
Michigan’s High BAC offense generally involves an alleged bodily alcohol content of 0.17 or higher.
A High BAC case can create additional concerns involving:
A high numerical result should not cause the defense to skip the underlying investigation.
Questions still include:
A high BAC result is significant evidence.
It does not make the rest of the evidence irrelevant.
Sometimes. It depends on the evidence and applicable law.
Potential issues may involve:
Possible resolutions vary significantly.
No lawyer can ethically guarantee that an OWI will be reduced or dismissed.
The first step is determining what the prosecution can actually prove.
Not necessarily.
Jail exposure depends on factors such as:
Many first-offense cases do not result in significant incarceration, but no outcome should be assumed in advance.
The individual facts matter.
Driver’s-license consequences depend on the specific circumstances.
Potential issues include:
Michigan OWI cases can involve both the criminal court system and Michigan Secretary of State.
Those processes are related but not identical.
Do not assume that resolving the criminal charge automatically resolves every driver’s-license issue.
The answer depends partly on which breath test is being discussed.
A roadside preliminary breath test and an evidentiary chemical test associated with Michigan’s implied-consent law can involve different legal rules and consequences.
If a refusal is alleged, review:
An implied-consent issue can create a separate driver’s-license proceeding.
Bond conditions vary by case.
Depending on the circumstances, a defendant may be ordered to:
Do not rely on what happened to someone else.
Read your own order.
A missed or positive test may be treated as a bond violation.
The court may consider:
Potential consequences may include additional testing, stricter conditions, bond modification or incarceration.
If a legitimate technical problem occurs, document it immediately and contact counsel.
Possibly. Your bond order controls.
This is especially important in Troy because many clients travel for business.
Before leaving, determine:
If court approval is required, obtain it before traveling.
There may be two separate issues.
First, your Michigan bond order determines whether you are permitted to leave the state or country while the criminal case is pending.
Second, Canadian authorities control admission into Canada.
Permission from a Michigan court to travel does not guarantee entry into another country.
Anyone who regularly crosses the border for employment should address this early.
Some of the most damaging mistakes happen after the traffic stop.
Avoid:
The goal is simple:
Do not create new problems while defending the original charge.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals charged with DUI and OWI offenses in Troy and throughout Oakland County. Matthew A. Fraiberg has practiced Michigan criminal law since 1997 and previously served as a city prosecutor and judicial clerk.
Most misdemeanor Troy OWI and DUI cases are handled in the 52-4 District Court.
The first formal appearance is generally the arraignment. The court may address the charge, bond, alcohol or drug restrictions, testing, travel and future court dates.
It may. Testing requirements depend on the charge, history, bond order and individual circumstances.
A positive or missed test may be considered a bond violation and could result in additional testing, stricter bond conditions, bond modification or other consequences.
Possibly. Review your written bond order first. If court permission is required, obtain it before traveling.
Possibly, but the Michigan bond order and Canadian entry requirements are separate issues.
There is no fixed timeline. Some cases resolve through pretrial proceedings, while others require motions, expert review, evidentiary hearings or trial.
Many first-offense cases do not result in significant jail, but the outcome depends on the charge, evidence, history, compliance and sentencing circumstances.
Sometimes. The result depends on the evidence, applicable law, negotiations and any legal or scientific weaknesses.
Some OWI cases are dismissed when legal or evidentiary problems prevent the prosecution from proving the charge. Dismissal is never guaranteed.
Yes. Video can confirm, contradict or add context to an officer’s written observations.
Possibly. The consequences depend on the charge, prior history, chemical testing, refusal issues and final resolution.
Different rules apply to roadside preliminary breath testing and post-arrest evidentiary testing. An alleged refusal can create additional consequences, so the exact circumstances should be reviewed.
Bring any documents you received from police, the jail, court, testing company or Michigan Secretary of State. Also preserve photographs, videos, receipts, medical information or other evidence that may relate to the case.
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
He has practiced law since 1997.
His professional background includes:
His approach is evidence-driven.
Rather than assuming the police report or chemical-test result determines the outcome, the defense asks:
What does the evidence actually prove?
Matthew Fraiberg’s professional background and DUI-defense experience can also be reviewed through independent attorney directories and professional organizations.
Matthew Fraiberg is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, an organization focused on education and professional development in DUI defense.
Independent attorney profile and professional information.
Independent attorney directory containing information regarding Matthew Fraiberg’s Michigan criminal and DUI practice.
Independent professional and attorney credential information.
Attorney licensing and professional-status information.
Link each organization name directly to the appropriate Matthew Fraiberg profile or listing.
Fraiberg & Pernie focuses on criminal and DUI defense throughout Southeast Michigan.
Clients facing a Troy OWI may benefit from representation focused on:
Eric L. Pernie also brings a different perspective to the firm as a former police officer and criminal defense attorney, providing additional insight into police procedures, traffic stops, investigations and evidence collection.
Matthew Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
Former City Prosecutor
Former Judicial Clerk
Practicing Michigan criminal law since 1997
Member, National College for DUI Defense
Fraiberg & Pernie
If you were arrested for OWI, DUI, High BAC, drugged driving or another alcohol-related driving offense in Troy, the case may already be moving before your first court appearance.
Bond requirements should be understood.
Driver’s-license issues should be identified.
Video and other evidence should be preserved.
Breath or blood evidence should be reviewed.
And the defense should be based on what the evidence actually shows—not assumptions about what an arrest means.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals charged with DUI and criminal offenses in the 52-4 District Court, Troy, Oakland County and throughout Southeast Michigan.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
Call (248) 986-2682 today.
Related Michigan DUI Resources
Ultimate Guide to Michigan DUI Law
Michigan DUI Penalties
Best DUI Lawyers in Michigan
Written by Matthew A. Fraiberg
Attorney Reviewed August, 2026
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Call Fraiberg & Pernie today: 248-986-2682
Reviewed by:
Eric L. Pernie – Criminal Defense Attorney
Matthew A. Fraiberg – Criminal Defense Attorney
Fraiberg & Pernie
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients throughout Michigan, including:
Wayne County
We serve clients throughout Michigan, including, but not limited to, those in the following in Oakland County including Southfield, Novi, Troy, Pontiac, Walled Lake, Commerce Township, Waterford, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, Farmington Hills, Hazel Park, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Keego Harbor, Clarkston, White Lake, Ferndale, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills; Wayne County including Detroit, Livonia, Canton, Northville, Plymouth, Romulus, Dearborn, Wayne, Wyandotte, Westland, Taylor, Redford, Lincoln Park, Woodhaven, Southgate, and Allen Park; Macomb County including Warren, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, New Baltimore, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Eastpointe, and Romeo; Livingston County including Brighton and Howell; Washtenaw County including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Chelsea; Genesee County including Flint and Grand Blanc; and Lapeer County including Lapeer and Metamora.
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