About Fraiberg & Pernie
About Fraiberg & Pernie | Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyers
Trusted Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Oakland, Wayne & Macomb Counties
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm focused on protecting individuals facing serious legal problems, including DUI, OWI, felony, misdemeanor, probation violation, domestic violence, drug, theft, fraud, and criminal traffic charges.
Based in Birmingham, Michigan, our firm represents clients throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and courts across Southeast Michigan.
When people contact our office, they are often facing one of the most stressful moments of their lives—an arrest, criminal investigation, drunk driving charge, or allegation that could affect their freedom, driver’s license, career, and reputation.
Our role is simple: understand the facts, analyze the evidence, protect your rights, and build the strongest defense possible.
Quick Answer: What Is Fraiberg & Pernie?
Fraiberg & Pernie is a highly regarded Michigan criminal defense law firm led by attorneys Matthew Fraiberg and Eric L. Pernie.
The firm is known for:
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Strategic DUI and OWI defense
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Evidence-driven criminal defense
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Court-specific legal strategy
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Aggressive yet intelligent case preparation
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Decades of combined courtroom experience
Our practice focuses heavily on criminal defense—not general law—allowing us to stay deeply immersed in Michigan criminal procedure, DUI litigation, evidentiary issues, and courtroom strategy.
Why Clients Choose Fraiberg & Pernie
Not every criminal defense lawyer approaches cases the same way.
Some lawyers process files.
We prepare cases.
That difference matters.
Successful defense often begins long before trial. It starts with asking the right questions:
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Was the stop legal?
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Was there probable cause?
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Was evidence obtained lawfully?
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Did law enforcement follow proper procedures?
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What weaknesses exist in the prosecution’s case?
Criminal charges are allegations.
Convictions require proof.
That distinction drives everything we do.
Meet Matthew Fraiberg
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, DUI lawyer, former city prosecutor, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
Licensed in Michigan since 1997, he has more than 29 years of experience representing individuals charged with:
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DUI / OWI
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High BAC (“Super Drunk”)
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Felony offenses
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Misdemeanor offenses
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Probation violations
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Driver’s license offenses
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Criminal traffic matters
Before entering private practice, Matthew served as:
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City Prosecutor
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Judicial Clerk
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Assistant Legal Research Clerk for Oakland County Circuit Court judges
That experience provides valuable insight into how prosecutors evaluate criminal charges and how cases are built inside Michigan courts.
Matthew is especially known for:
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DUI and OWI defense
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High BAC litigation
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Evidence analysis
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Court-specific criminal strategy
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Negotiation and trial preparation
Meet Eric L. Pernie
Eric L. Pernie is a co-founder of Fraiberg & Pernie and an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney.
Before becoming an attorney, Eric served in law enforcement, giving him firsthand understanding of criminal investigations, police procedure, arrest protocol, and evidence collection.
That background provides unique perspective when evaluating:
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Traffic stops
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Field investigations
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Police reports
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Officer observations
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Arrest procedures
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Constitutional violations
Eric’s law enforcement experience, combined with years of criminal defense practice, helps clients benefit from both sides of the criminal justice perspective.
Practice Areas
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients in matters involving:
DUI / OWI Defense
Including:
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First offense OWI
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Second offense DUI
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Third offense felony OWI
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High BAC cases
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Breath test refusal matters
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License-related offenses
Criminal Defense
Including:
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Felonies
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Misdemeanors
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Assault
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Domestic violence
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Drug offenses
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Theft crimes
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Fraud allegations
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White-collar offenses
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Probation violations
Every case is different.
Every defense strategy should be too.
Courts We Frequently Serve
Our attorneys regularly appear in district and circuit courts throughout Southeast Michigan, including:
Oakland County
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48th District Court (Bloomfield Hills)
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52-4 District Court (Troy)
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44th District Court (Royal Oak)
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47th District Court (Farmington Hills)
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Oakland County Circuit Court
Wayne County
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35th District Court (Plymouth/Canton)
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36th District Court (Detroit)
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16th District Court (Livonia)
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Wayne County Circuit Court
Macomb County
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41A District Court
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41B District Court
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Macomb County Circuit Court
Understanding how individual courts operate can significantly affect strategy and outcomes.
Our Philosophy
Fraiberg & Pernie is built on three principles:
Act Early
The earliest stages of a case often create the biggest opportunities.
Analyze Thoroughly
Every report, video, test result, and statement matters.
Build Strategically
Good outcomes are rarely accidental—they are built through preparation.
Why Experience Matters
When your future is at stake, experience matters.
Experience helps identify:
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Hidden weaknesses in evidence
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Procedural mistakes
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Negotiation leverage
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Trial opportunities
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Risk factors others may miss
Our goal is not merely to react to charges.
Our goal is to build a defense strategy designed to protect your future.
Contact Fraiberg & Pernie
If you are facing a DUI charge, criminal investigation, felony allegation, probation violation, or other criminal matter in Michigan, early legal guidance can make a major difference.
Fraiberg & Pernie
1000 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 103
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Phone: (248) 986-2682
Confidential consultations are available.
Written by Matthew Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
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 Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
29+ years experience
Attorney Reviewed September, 2026
