FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Most OWI, OWVI, High BAC and drugged-driving cases arising in Bloomfield Township are handled in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The most urgent issues after an arrest are usually:
Understanding every bond and alcohol-testing requirement
Preserving body-camera, dash-camera and other video evidence
Reviewing whether the traffic stop and arrest were lawful
Examining field sobriety and chemical-testing procedures
Protecting driving privileges
Meeting any deadline connected to an alleged chemical-test refusal
An OWI defense in the 48th District Court should address two separate questions:
Can the prosecution prove the drunk-driving charge?
Is the defendant following every court order while the case is pending?
Both questions can influence the outcome.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people charged with OWI, OWVI, High BAC, drugged driving and related criminal offenses in the 48th District Court and throughout Oakland County.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary court | 48th District Court |
| Court location | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| Common charges | OWI, OWVI, High BAC and drugged driving |
| Immediate concerns | Bond, testing, court dates, evidence and license deadlines |
| Important evidence | Video, police reports, chemical-test records, dispatch information and witnesses |
| Misdemeanor cases | Generally remain in the district court |
| Felony cases | Begin in district court and may proceed to Oakland County Circuit Court |
| Defense priorities | Court compliance and independent evidence review |
The 48th District Court handles cases arising in communities that include:
Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Hills
West Bloomfield Township
Orchard Lake Village
Keego Harbor
Sylvan Lake
The exact court assignment should be confirmed by reviewing the citation, complaint, bond paperwork or notice to appear.
The district court generally handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses. Felony cases usually begin with an arraignment, probable-cause conference and preliminary examination. A felony charge that is bound over proceeds to the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Most people understandably focus on what happened during the traffic stop:
Why was the vehicle stopped?
Were the field sobriety tests fair?
Was the breath or blood result reliable?
Does the video support the police report?
Those questions matter.
However, the defendant’s conduct after release can also become important.
A person released on bond may be ordered to:
Avoid alcohol
Submit to breath, urine or other testing
Appear at every scheduled hearing
Follow travel restrictions
Report as directed
Avoid new criminal activity
Comply with every written bond condition
A missed test, failed test, unauthorized trip or missed court date can create a separate problem before the original OWI charge is resolved.
A person may have valid defenses to the underlying charge and still damage the case by failing to understand or follow the bond order.
The first three days can affect the rest of the case.
Do not assume that you may:
Consume alcohol
Leave Michigan
Travel internationally
Miss or reschedule testing
Change testing locations
Skip a court appearance
The written order controls unless the court changes it.
Questions about testing, travel or reporting should be addressed before a violation occurs.
Keep the following materials together:
Citation
Bond paperwork
Temporary driving permit
Property receipt
Testing instructions
Court notice
Vehicle impound information
Chemical-test paperwork
Hospital or blood-draw paperwork
Any refusal or Secretary of State documents
Photograph or scan the documents so that backup copies exist.
Record everything you remember while the details are fresh:
Location of the stop
Traffic and weather conditions
Reason the officer gave for stopping you
Statements made by the officer
Statements attributed to you
Field sobriety-test instructions
Tests performed
Witnesses present
Medical or physical limitations
Anything unusual about the stop, arrest or testing process
Do not post the account on social media.
Provide it privately to your attorney.
Potential evidence may exist in:
Nearby businesses
Residential security systems
Parking-lot cameras
Other vehicles
Mobile phones
Police body-camera systems
Police dash-camera systems
Dispatch recordings
Vehicle event or navigation data
Some recordings are erased or overwritten after a limited period.
Early preservation can matter.
An alleged refusal of a post-arrest chemical test may create a separate Michigan Secretary of State proceeding.
That process may involve a short deadline to request a hearing.
The criminal prosecution and the administrative license matter are not necessarily the same case.
A Bloomfield Township OWI case commonly progresses through several stages.
The court generally:
Advises the defendant of the charge
Reviews or establishes bond
Imposes conditions
Addresses representation by counsel
Schedules future proceedings
A defendant should understand every testing, travel, reporting and no-alcohol requirement before leaving court.
Discovery may include:
Police reports
Body-camera video
Dash-camera footage
Dispatch recordings
Witness statements
Breath-test records
Blood-test and laboratory records
Photographs
Chemical-test paperwork
Datamaster records
Medical records
Search-warrant materials
The defense should compare the evidence across sources rather than relying only on the written police report.
The pretrial conference may involve:
Discovery review
Evidence disputes
Witness evaluation
Chemical-test analysis
Possible motions
Negotiated resolutions
Trial scheduling
Many cases are shaped or resolved during the pretrial process.
A pretrial conference is not merely a routine court date.
Legal motions may address issues such as:
The legality of the traffic stop
Probable cause to arrest
Statements made during the investigation
Search-warrant validity
Breath-test admissibility
Blood-test admissibility
Constitutional violations
Preservation or destruction of evidence
The appropriate motions depend on the facts of the individual case.
Some cases are resolved through negotiated pleas.
Others proceed to trial.
A proposed resolution should be evaluated in light of:
Criminal penalties
Driver’s-license consequences
Employment effects
Professional licensing
Immigration concerns
Insurance
Commercial driving
Long-term record consequences
The lowest-sounding charge is not automatically the best resolution for every person.
If a conviction occurs, the court may consider:
Prior criminal and driving history
The circumstances of the offense
The alleged alcohol or drug level
Whether an accident or injury occurred
Bond compliance
Treatment or education
Employment
Community ties
Personal background
Evidence of rehabilitation
Preparation should begin before the sentencing date.
The 48th District Court is commonly associated with structured supervision in alcohol-related cases.
That does not mean every person receives the same conditions.
Requirements may depend on:
The charge
Prior history
Alleged alcohol or drug level
Accident circumstances
Statements in the police report
The individual bond order
The court’s assessment of risk
Possible conditions may include:
No alcohol consumption
Breath testing
Urine testing
Drug testing
Travel limitations
Reporting obligations
No new criminal activity
Attendance at every court date
Compliance can become part of how the court evaluates the defendant while the case remains pending.
A missed, late, diluted or positive test may lead to a bond-violation allegation.
The court may consider:
Why the test was missed
How late the test occurred
Whether the person attempted to correct the problem
Whether documentation exists
Whether there were earlier violations
Whether alcohol or drug use is alleged
Whether the device malfunctioned
Whether stricter supervision is necessary
Possible consequences may include:
Additional testing
More frequent testing
Increased restrictions
Higher bond
Loss of travel privileges
Temporary detention in serious cases
Ignoring the problem usually makes it worse.
Continue complying with all other requirements.
Preserve evidence such as:
Screenshots
Device messages
Call logs
Emails
Testing receipts
Work records
Medical records
Repair invoices
Photographs
Witness information
Do not stop testing merely because a result or violation is disputed.
Document the problem immediately.
Contact the testing provider as instructed and preserve:
Error messages
Photographs
Customer-service communications
Device-service records
Replacement information
Independent test results, when appropriate
Certain products may contain alcohol or create questions about a reported result.
The significance depends on:
The product
Timing
Amount
Testing method
Retest pattern
Device records
Other available evidence
Do not assume the court will automatically accept a product explanation without documentation.
An OWI case is not decided solely by a breath or blood number.
The full investigation may include:
Body-camera footage
Dash-camera video
Dispatch recordings
Driving observations
The stated reason for the traffic stop
Field sobriety-test instructions
Preliminary breath-test information
Datamaster records
Blood-draw records
Laboratory records
Witness statements
Medical information
Statements attributed to the driver
Photographs
Accident evidence
Search-warrant materials
The evidence should be compared across sources.
A police report may describe slurred speech, poor balance, confusion or improper test performance. Video may support that account, contradict it or show a more complicated situation.
That difference can be important.
Police generally need a legally sufficient reason to stop a vehicle.
The officer’s stated reason should be compared with:
Dash-camera footage
Dispatch information
Road conditions
Traffic signs
Lane markings
Witness testimony
The actual driving shown on video
A later breath or blood result does not automatically cure an unlawful stop.
The issue is not simply whether an officer suspected alcohol or drug use.
The question is whether the total evidence provided a lawful basis to believe an impaired-driving offense occurred.
Relevant evidence may include:
Driving behavior
Odor
Admissions
Balance
Coordination
Field sobriety testing
Preliminary breath testing
Video
Witness observations
Medical conditions
Field sobriety-test performance can be affected by:
Weather
Lighting
Uneven pavement
Footwear
Age
Weight
Injuries
Neurological conditions
Inner-ear problems
Anxiety
Fatigue
Unclear instructions
Officer demonstration
The report should be compared with the video.
Chemical testing depends on proper procedures.
Questions may include:
Was the correct person tested?
Was the observation period properly completed?
Was the instrument maintained?
Was the operator qualified?
Were required records preserved?
Was the blood collected correctly?
Was the sample stored properly?
Was the chain of custody maintained?
Were laboratory procedures reliable?
Are medical or scientific issues relevant?
A numerical result should be examined, not merely accepted.
Body-camera and dash-camera footage can provide an independent record of:
Speech
Balance
Coordination
Officer instructions
Field testing
Statements
Cooperation
Medical complaints
The conditions at the scene
Video may confirm the report, undermine it or reveal details omitted from the written account.
| Charge | General distinction |
|---|---|
| OWI | Allegation that a person operated while intoxicated or with an unlawful bodily alcohol content |
| OWVI | Allegation that a person’s ability to operate was visibly impaired |
| High BAC | Enhanced first-offense allegation involving an alcohol concentration of 0.17 or higher |
OWI is generally the more serious standard drunk-driving charge.
Potential consequences may include:
Jail exposure
Probation
Fines and costs
Driver’s-license sanctions
Points
Alcohol education or treatment
Community service
Vehicle-related consequences in some cases
OWVI is generally considered less severe than OWI.
However, it is still a criminal misdemeanor and may affect:
Driving privileges
Employment
Insurance
Professional licensing
Background checks
Future criminal exposure
Michigan’s High BAC offense generally applies when the alleged bodily alcohol content is 0.17 or higher.
A High BAC case may involve:
Enhanced criminal penalties
Additional treatment requirements
Increased license consequences
Ignition-interlock requirements for restricted driving
A high test result does not eliminate the need to review:
The traffic stop
Probable cause
Observation procedures
Instrument records
Sample collection
Chain of custody
Laboratory analysis
Medical or scientific issues
Sometimes.
Possible factors may include:
Evidentiary weaknesses
Legal issues
Chemical-test problems
Video inconsistencies
Witness credibility
Prior history
Accident circumstances
Mitigation
Prosecutorial evaluation
Negotiations
No reduction can be guaranteed.
A proposed resolution should be evaluated by its complete consequences, not merely its name.
Dismissal may be possible when important evidence is:
Suppressed
Excluded
Unreliable
Unavailable
Constitutionally obtained in violation of the law
Insufficient to prove the charge
Possible issues may involve:
An unlawful stop
Lack of probable cause
Improper questioning
Defective testing procedures
Missing video
Unreliable laboratory evidence
Witness problems
Failure to prove operation
Failure to prove impairment
Every case depends on its own evidence.
Not every OWI case involves alcohol.
Drugged-driving allegations may involve:
Marijuana
Prescription medication
Controlled substances
Illegal drugs
Multiple medications
Combined alcohol and drug use
The prosecution may rely on:
Driving behavior
Officer observations
Statements
Field sobriety testing
Blood toxicology
Drug-recognition evidence
Video
Witness testimony
Prescription records
Not necessarily.
A valid prescription may explain lawful possession, but the prosecution may still claim that the medication affected the person’s ability to operate safely.
Not automatically.
A toxicology result should be evaluated with:
Timing
Active substances
Metabolites
Reported concentration
Tolerance
Driving behavior
Video evidence
Field testing
Statements
Other substances
The presence of a substance and proof of actual impairment are not always the same question.
Potentially.
Issues may include:
Collection
Storage
Transportation
Chain of custody
Laboratory methods
Measurement uncertainty
Interpretation
The relationship between the result and actual impairment
Many defendants assume the 48th District Court judge decides every license issue.
That is not always true.
Some consequences result from a criminal conviction. Others may arise separately through the Michigan Secretary of State.
Relevant factors may include:
The final charge
Breath or blood results
Prior convictions
An alleged chemical-test refusal
Whether a hearing was requested on time
The final court resolution
The driver’s-license issue should be evaluated at the beginning of the case rather than after the criminal case is complete.
A refusal of a post-arrest chemical test may create separate license consequences.
The issues may include:
Whether the traffic stop was lawful
Whether the arrest was supported by reasonable grounds
Whether the person was properly advised of chemical-test rights
Whether a refusal actually occurred
Whether the refusal was reasonable
Whether a hearing was requested on time
A roadside preliminary breath test and a post-arrest evidentiary chemical test are not necessarily governed by the same rules or consequences.
Police may also seek a search warrant for a blood draw when legal requirements are satisfied.
Winning or resolving the criminal case does not automatically resolve a separate implied-consent matter.
Many people appearing in the 48th District Court have never been arrested before.
They may be:
Physicians
Nurses
Attorneys
Executives
Engineers
Teachers
Business owners
Sales professionals
Pilots
Accountants
Commercial drivers
Other licensed workers
Their concerns may include:
Professional reporting duties
Employment background checks
Security clearances
Commercial driving
Insurance
International travel
Reputation
Future licensing applications
Employer discipline
Resolving the criminal charge is important, but it may not be the only concern.
A defense strategy should consider both the immediate case and the longer-term consequences.
A first offense may still affect driving privileges, employment, insurance and a permanent criminal record.
Verbal assumptions do not override written conditions.
A testing violation may create a separate court issue.
Work or family obligations do not automatically override a bond order.
Posts, photographs, messages and comments may become evidence.
Private and police recordings may not be retained indefinitely.
Video, dispatch records, witnesses and testing documents may show something different.
Chemical evidence depends on lawful collection, reliable procedures and proper interpretation.
Temporary permits, suspensions, restrictions and refusal proceedings can create confusion.
Employment, licensing, travel, insurance and long-term record consequences may be equally important.
Most misdemeanor OWI, OWVI and High BAC cases arising in Bloomfield Township are handled in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills.
No. Testing depends on the alleged facts and the individual bond order. Testing is common in alcohol-related cases, but requirements vary.
Possibly. Review the written bond order before leaving Michigan or the United States. Court approval may be required.
Possibly, but employment does not automatically override a travel restriction. Permission should be addressed before the trip.
A missed test may be treated as noncompliance. Preserve documentation, continue testing and address the issue promptly.
The court may schedule a bond-violation hearing or impose additional conditions. The reported result and surrounding circumstances should be reviewed.
Not on your own. Follow the existing order unless the court or authorized testing agency approves a change.
Potentially. Device records, screenshots, service information, call logs and other documentation may be important.
Some products may contain alcohol or affect certain testing methods. The timing, result pattern, retests and supporting documentation should be examined.
Jail is legally possible, but it is not automatic. The result depends on the charge, history, evidence, compliance, mitigation and court decision.
Probation is common in many OWI cases. Conditions depend on the conviction and individual circumstances.
Sometimes. A reduction may depend on evidence, legal issues, negotiations, background and prosecutorial evaluation.
Possibly. The alleged result, testing procedures, evidence and negotiations may all be relevant.
Dismissal may be possible if critical evidence is excluded, unreliable or insufficient. No result can be guaranteed.
Potentially. The officer must have a lawful basis for initiating the stop.
Potentially. Instructions, physical conditions, medical limitations, weather and video may affect the reliability of the tests.
Potentially. Maintenance, calibration, observation procedures, operator requirements and instrument records may be relevant.
Potentially. Collection, chain of custody, storage, transportation, laboratory methods and interpretation may be examined.
An alleged refusal may create a separate Michigan Secretary of State matter with its own procedures and deadlines.
Potentially. Police may request a search warrant when legal requirements are satisfied.
Possibly. Driving status may depend on the charge, test result, alleged refusal, temporary permit and any Secretary of State action.
Not always. Many license sanctions are imposed under state law and administered by the Michigan Secretary of State.
Yes. The effect depends on the job, employer policies, driving requirements and background-check procedures.
Yes. Some professions have separate reporting, investigation or disciplinary requirements.
Potentially. Commercial drivers may face consequences even when the alleged offense occurred in a personal vehicle.
No. Many cases are resolved before trial, but the proper strategy depends on the evidence and available options.
No. A high result may increase the seriousness of the allegation, but the stop, arrest and testing procedures should still be reviewed.
A clean record may be relevant to negotiations, bond, probation and sentencing, but it does not automatically eliminate the charge.
Legal arguments and factual explanations should be presented strategically. Unplanned statements may create additional problems.
Certain first-offense OWI convictions may qualify if all statutory requirements are satisfied. Eligibility should be evaluated under the law applicable to the individual case.
Possibly, but you should never assume that work-related travel is automatically permitted.
The 48th District Court frequently imposes bond conditions that may include travel restrictions, alcohol testing requirements, reporting requirements, or other conditions that could affect your ability to leave Michigan.
Michigan courts may require defendants to obtain permission before leaving the state while criminal charges are pending. Courts may also impose alcohol testing, substance-abuse monitoring, or other conditions of release.
Many of our clients are executives, sales professionals, physicians, business owners, and others whose careers depend upon travel. One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that business travel automatically creates an exception to bond conditions.
Yes.
Pilots often face concerns extending far beyond the courtroom, including employment consequences, licensing questions, reporting obligations, insurance concerns, and professional reputation.
An OWI case can affect more than criminal penalties. Professional licenses, security clearances, employment opportunities, and travel privileges may all become important considerations.
Many professionals are more concerned about their careers than the possibility of jail. That is especially true for pilots, physicians, attorneys, accountants, and executives.
Possibly, but you should not assume that entry into Canada will be permitted.
Border authorities have broad discretion regarding admissibility, and both the nature of the charge and the final resolution of the case may become important considerations.
International travel and immigration matters often involve issues extending beyond Michigan criminal law. Bond conditions imposed by the court may also restrict international travel.
Many clients are surprised to discover that an OWI allegation can create concerns involving employment, international travel, and professional licensing.
The answer depends upon the circumstances.
Michigan law distinguishes between a preliminary breath test administered during a traffic investigation and the chemical tests administered after an arrest.
Every case should be evaluated individually because the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, body-camera footage, statements, and testing procedures all matter.
As a former police officer, Eric understands how officers investigate alcohol-related driving offenses and how evidence is gathered during roadside investigations.
A failed alcohol test can have serious consequences.
Depending upon the circumstances, the court may modify bond conditions, impose additional restrictions, increase monitoring requirements, revoke bond, or issue a warrant.
Michigan courts are authorized to impose conditions of release that prohibit the use of alcohol and controlled substances and require testing or monitoring.
One of the most avoidable problems we see is a client creating a second problem while trying to deal with the first one.
Every case is different.
Some cases are resolved relatively quickly, while others require additional investigation, evidence review, negotiations, motions, or trial preparation.
A first-offense OWI case commonly includes several stages:
One of the first questions clients ask is, “When will this be over?” The answer depends upon the evidence, the legal issues involved, the court’s schedule, and the strategy pursued in the case.
Fraiberg & Pernie brings together two different perspectives on criminal and OWI investigations.
Matthew Fraiberg has practiced criminal law in Michigan since 1997.
His background includes service as:
A former city prosecutor
A former judicial clerk
A criminal defense attorney representing clients throughout Oakland County
His review of an OWI case may include:
The legality of the stop
Probable cause
Video evidence
Field sobriety testing
Breath or blood procedures
Police credibility
Bond compliance
Driver’s-license consequences
After decades of representing people charged with OWI offenses, one of the recurring lessons is that the most damaging early mistake may occur after release.
A missed test, unauthorized trip, unnecessary statement or misunderstanding of a written bond order can create a second problem before the original case is resolved.
Eric Pernie is a former police officer who later became a criminal defense attorney.
His law-enforcement background provides practical insight into:
Traffic-stop procedures
Police report writing
Field sobriety testing
Officer training
Body-camera evidence
Arrest decisions
Chemical-testing investigations
Fraiberg & Pernie combines the perspective of a former prosecutor and judicial clerk with the law-enforcement experience of a former police officer.
That combination can be particularly useful when comparing police reports, video, testing procedures and officer testimony.
High BAC Defense in Bloomfield Township
OWI Versus OWVI in Michigan
Driver’s-License Consequences After OWI
48th District Court Bond Violations
Missed or Failed Alcohol Testing
Bloomfield Township DUI Bench Warrants
Drugged-Driving Defense
Oakland County DUI Knowledge Center
A Bloomfield Township OWI case may involve much more than a future court date.
Bond conditions may already be in effect.
Alcohol testing may already be required.
Video may need to be preserved.
A driver’s-license deadline may be approaching.
The prosecution may already be collecting and reviewing evidence.
Early legal review can help determine:
What the bond order requires
Whether license deadlines apply
Which evidence should be preserved
Whether the traffic stop was lawful
Whether probable cause existed
Whether field sobriety testing was reliable
Whether breath or blood procedures can be challenged
Whether video supports the police report
Which defenses or negotiated outcomes may be available
How the case may affect employment or professional licensing
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients charged with OWI, OWVI, High BAC, drugged driving and related criminal offenses in the 48th District Court and throughout Oakland County.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
Protect your license.
Protect your record.
Protect your future.
Related Michigan DUI Resources
Ultimate Guide to Michigan DUI Law
Written by Matthew Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Attorney Reviewed August, 2026