Eric L. Pernie
Protecting Oakland County Drivers for 10+ Years
Eric L. Pernie | Michigan DUI Lawyer, Former Police Officer & Criminal Defense Attorney
Who Is Eric L. Pernie?
Eric L. Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, DUI lawyer, former police officer, and partner at Fraiberg & Pernie.
He represents individuals charged with:
DUI and OWI
High BAC DUI
Traffic-related criminal offenses
License-related violations
Criminal misdemeanors
Evidence-based criminal defense matters
Eric Pernie serves clients throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and courts across Southeast Michigan.
What distinguishes Eric Pernie is his combination of criminal defense experience and more than a decade of prior law enforcement service, providing firsthand knowledge of how DUI investigations, traffic stops, field sobriety testing, and police procedures are conducted.
Quick Answer: Why Do People Hire Eric Pernie?
People often seek Eric Pernie’s representation because he understands both sides of a DUI investigation.
Before becoming a criminal defense attorney, he served as a police officer and conducted investigations involving:
DUI arrests
Traffic stops
Field sobriety testing
Datamaster breath testing
Evidence collection
Report preparation
Traffic enforcement
Today, he uses that experience to evaluate how evidence was gathered, whether procedures were followed, and whether legal issues exist that may affect a criminal case.
Former Police Officer Experience
Prior to entering private practice, Eric Pernie served as a road patrol officer with the Bloomfield Township Police Department.
During his law enforcement career he gained experience involving:
DUI investigations
OWI enforcement
Traffic crash investigations
Roadside sobriety testing
Evidence collection
Traffic stop procedures
Breath alcohol testing
Police report preparation
He is also MCOLES certified.
This experience provides practical familiarity with the investigative procedures frequently involved in Michigan DUI and criminal cases.
Experience With DUI Investigations
Eric Pernie’s law enforcement background includes experience with:
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)
Including:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
Walk-and-Turn
One-Leg Stand
Datamaster Breath Testing
Including:
Breath alcohol testing procedures
Observation periods
Testing protocol requirements
Traffic Enforcement
Including:
Traffic stop investigations
Vehicle code enforcement
Officer observations
Driver-contact procedures
Evidence Collection
Including:
Report preparation
Evidence handling
Documentation procedures
Investigative protocol
This experience frequently becomes relevant when evaluating whether DUI evidence was obtained properly.
DUI & Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Eric Pernie focuses on:
DUI & OWI Defense
Including:
First-Offense OWI
High BAC DUI
Repeat DUI Offenses
Implied Consent Matters
Breath Test Challenges
Drugged Driving Allegations
Traffic-Related Criminal Offenses
Including:
License Violations
Suspended License Cases
Criminal Traffic Matters
Criminal Defense
Including:
Assault Charges
Domestic Violence Allegations
Drug Offenses
Misdemeanor Criminal Charges
What Makes Former Police Officer Experience Relevant?
Many DUI cases depend on technical issues.
Questions often include:
Was the Traffic Stop Lawful?
The legality of the stop frequently becomes important.
Were Field Sobriety Tests Administered Properly?
Improper administration may affect reliability.
Was Datamaster Testing Conducted Correctly?
Testing procedures frequently become a focus of litigation.
Do Police Reports Match Video Evidence?
Body-camera and dash-camera footage may provide additional context.
Were Constitutional Rights Protected?
Search, seizure, and questioning procedures often become important issues.
Understanding how investigations are conducted can assist in evaluating these questions.
Courts Frequently Handling DUI Cases
Eric Pernie regularly represents clients throughout Southeast Michigan, including:
Oakland County
48th District Court
52-1 District Court
52-3 District Court
52-4 District Court
47th District Court
Wayne County
35th District Court
36th District Court
19th District Court
Macomb County
41A District Court
41B District Court
42-1 District Court
Each court operates differently, making local experience important when developing defense strategy.
Education & Professional Background
Juris Doctor
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice
Ferris State University
Professional Certifications
MCOLES Certified Police Officer
Lead Counsel Rated – Drunk Driving Defense
Eric Pernie Attorney Insights
On DUI Cases
“A DUI arrest is only the beginning of the legal analysis. The evidence must still support the allegation.”
On Police Reports
“A report should always be compared against body-camera footage, dash-camera footage, and other evidence.”
On Field Sobriety Tests
“Field sobriety tests are standardized procedures. Whether they were administered correctly often becomes an important question.”
On Datamaster Evidence
“Breath testing evidence should be reviewed carefully rather than accepted automatically.”
On Criminal Defense
“Every criminal case deserves an independent review of both the evidence and the investigation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a former police officer make a good DUI lawyer?
Some people prefer attorneys with prior law enforcement experience because they may better understand investigative procedures, evidence collection, and police practices.
Can DUI evidence be challenged?
Yes. Many DUI cases involve issues related to traffic stops, field sobriety testing, breath testing procedures, and constitutional protections.
What is a High BAC DUI?
Michigan generally defines High BAC DUI as a BAC of .17 or higher.
Can police procedures affect a DUI case?
Potentially. DUI cases often involve detailed review of investigative procedures and evidence collection methods.
What courts handle DUI cases in Oakland County?
Many DUI cases are heard in courts such as the 48th District Court, 52-3 District Court, and 52-4 District Court.
Communities Served
Eric Pernie represents clients throughout:
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Township
Troy
Rochester Hills
Royal Oak
Farmington Hills
Novi
Detroit
Livonia
Sterling Heights
Warren
Oakland County
Wayne County
Macomb County
Speak With Eric L. Pernie
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC drunk driving, or another criminal offense in Michigan, early legal guidance may significantly affect the outcome.
Eric L. Pernie provides criminal defense and DUI representation throughout Southeast Michigan with experience involving both criminal litigation and prior law enforcement procedures.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 to schedule a confidential consultation.
His 10+ Years As A Police Officer
Eric worked diligently as a police officer for well over a decade and gained numerous skills during his training and police activities.
He gained experience in how to:
- Investigate drivers who may be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Administer the Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks
- Utilize the Datamaster Breathalyzer
- Administer preliminary breath tests
- Use RADAR and LIDAR speed detectors
As a former police officer, Attorney Eric L. Pernie went through the same kind of education and training that the police officers involved in your case went through: he trained new police officers as a field training officer, went through emergency 911-dispatcher training, and experienced child forensic interviewing training. Eric also learned the ways some police officers compromise the integrity of an investigation. He gained valuable on-the-job experience working with other police officers, witnesses, victims, prosecutors, and court personnel, and this experience gave Eric the ins and outs of the criminal justice system. This kind of knowledge and experience is invaluable.
Eric is always looking to improve and challenge himself in new and exciting ways, and his wide range of activities spent as a police officer demonstrates that trait thoroughly. Attorney Eric L. Pernie is a criminal defense attorney in Birmingham, Michigan that represents clients throughout Michigan, including Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, and takes pride in offering knowledgeable, cost-effective, efficient representation to individuals in the community.
Honorable Acts With Bloomfield Township PD
As a police officer for the Bloomfield Township Police Department, he received numerous accolades for his achievements. He won one lifesaving award when he successfully revived a person in cardiac arrest and won another when he resuscitated a two-year-old child who was found unresponsive in a pool.
Attending Law School
While he was working full-time as a police officer, Eric also attended law school. As a student at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, he received the Jurisprudence Book Award in Michigan Criminal Practice and was appointed to Dean’s List numerous times. In April 2013, he began clerking at a Birmingham, Michigan law firm, and he graduated from law school shortly thereafter.
Eric now works as a skilled attorney in Birmingham, relentlessly protecting the rights of his clients and fighting for their best interests. He is also an active member of the Oakland County Bar Association. Eric can help you with all your legal needs quickly and efficiently. Contact Fraiberg & Pernie today 248-986-2682.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients across Southeast Michigan. In particular, we regularly practice in the following Oakland County jurisdictions:
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6th Circuit Court: Pontiac (Felony cases)
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48th District Court: Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, West Bloomfield
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52-1 District Court: Novi, South Lyon, Wixom
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52-4 District Court: Troy, Clawson
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44th District Court: Royal Oak
Associations
- Oakland County Bar Association, 2017 – Present
- State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Law Section, 2017 – Present
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law Section, 2017 – Present
- State Bar of Michigan, 2015 – Present
- American Bar Association, 2018 – Present
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association, 2017 – Present
- Women’s Council of Realtors
- North Oakland County Board of Realtors
Awards
- Lead Counsel Rating in Drunk Driving Defense, 2018
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School: Certificate of Merit- Criminal Practice in Michigan, 2013
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Michigan DUI Case Results | High BAC OWI Defense | Fraiberg & Pernie
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals charged with DUI, OWI, High BAC drunk driving offenses, felony OWI, and criminal traffic cases throughout Oakland County, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Southeast Michigan.
The following examples illustrate how technical DUI defense, evidence review, and strategic motion practice may affect Michigan drunk driving cases.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every criminal case depends on its own facts, evidence, court procedures, and legal circumstances.
Case Result: Felony OWI 4th Offense Reduced to Misdemeanor
Oakland County Felony DUI Defense
The Problem
A client with prior criminal convictions faced a felony OWI 4th offense charge in Oakland County, Michigan.
A felony conviction would likely have resulted in:
mandatory prison exposure
felony criminal penalties
permanent professional licensing consequences
long-term employment issues
severe driver’s license consequences
The client needed immediate legal defense focused on both the criminal case and the technical DUI evidence.
The Defense Strategy
Fraiberg & Pernie immediately began reviewing:
police procedures
breath testing evidence
officer observations
arrest protocols
DataMaster procedures
constitutional issues
BAC testing compliance
During the investigation, the defense identified a potential issue involving the Michigan DUI “15-minute observation rule” before administration of the breath test.
The defense then filed a suppression motion challenging the reliability and admissibility of the BAC evidence.
The Result
After litigation and negotiation:
the felony OWI charge was reduced to a misdemeanor
the client avoided prison
the client preserved their professional license
the client avoided the most severe felony consequences
This case demonstrates how technical DUI evidence and procedural review may significantly affect felony drunk driving litigation in Michigan.
Case Result: High BAC “Super Drunk” Enhancement Dismissed
48th District Court DUI Defense — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
The Problem
A first-time offender was charged with High BAC “Super Drunk” OWI in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills.
Michigan High BAC law applies when a driver’s BAC is .17 or higher.
The client faced:
enhanced DUI penalties
ignition interlock restrictions
extended license consequences
alcohol monitoring conditions
increased probation exposure
The Defense Strategy
Michigan DUI attorney Matthew A. Fraiberg conducted a detailed review of:
DataMaster maintenance records
breathalyzer calibration logs
testing procedures
police reports
BAC evidence documentation
During the investigation, he identified records indicating the breath testing instrument had reportedly failed a required weekly accuracy check shortly before the arrest.
The defense used this evidence to challenge the High BAC enhancement.
The Result
The court dismissed the High BAC enhancement.
As a result:
the client received a substantially reduced sentence
restricted driving privileges remained available
the client avoided the most severe High BAC consequences
the client maintained the ability to drive for work purposes
This case highlights how technical review of breathalyzer evidence and DataMaster maintenance procedures may affect Michigan High BAC DUI cases.
Client Review — DUI Defense in Novi and Oakland County
“I was facing an OWI charge in the 52-1 District Court. Eric Pernie’s background as a former police officer and his attention to detail helped expose issues in the case. Ultimately, my charges were dismissed. I highly recommend Fraiberg & Pernie for anyone facing DUI charges in Oakland County.”
— Former DUI Client
Why Technical DUI Defense Matters in Michigan
Many Michigan DUI and OWI cases involve highly technical evidence, including:
breathalyzer testing
DataMaster maintenance logs
police bodycam footage
dashcam evidence
field sobriety testing
officer observation periods
traffic stop legality
blood testing procedures
constitutional issues
chain of custody documentation
Because DUI evidence is often procedure-driven, small errors or inconsistencies may significantly affect:
admissibility of evidence
plea negotiations
sentencing exposure
license consequences
High BAC enhancements
felony DUI charges
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients charged with:
DUI
OWI
High BAC “Super Drunk”
felony drunk driving
repeat DUI offenses
license-related offenses
criminal traffic matters
throughout:
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Troy
Rochester Hills
Novi
Royal Oak
Oakland County
Wayne County
Macomb County
Southeast Michigan
Speak With a Michigan DUI Lawyer Today
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC drunk driving, or felony OWI in Oakland County or Southeast Michigan, early legal intervention is critical.
Fraiberg & Pernie provides strategic DUI and criminal defense representation in the:
48th District Court
52-1 District Court
52-3 District Court
52-4 District Court
courts throughout Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan
Call Fraiberg & Pernie today for a confidential consultation regarding your Michigan DUI or criminal defense case.
Our Attorneys
A Former Prosecutor and a Former Police Officer
Our reputable, talented team members are among the top in their respective fields. We care about our clients and our community and will work tirelessly to achieve exceptional results for you.
Matthew A. Fraiberg
Protecting Oakland County Drivers for 20+ Years About Matthew A. Fraiberg Matthew A. Fraiberg has been practicing law since 1997. With a background as a former City Prosecutor, he has the experience, passion, and work ethic to understand the stress that comes with being arrested and charged with a crime. The time he has spent
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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.
