Eric L. Pernie
Protecting Oakland County Drivers for 10+ Years
Eric L. Pernie | Birmingham DUI Lawyer | Former Police Officer and Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
Eric L. Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense attorney based in Birmingham, Michigan, focusing on DUI, OWI, traffic-related offenses, High BAC drunk driving cases, and criminal defense matters involving police procedure and evidence review.
He represents clients throughout Oakland County, Macomb County, Wayne County, and courts across Southeast Michigan.
Eric Pernie combines more than a decade of legal experience with over ten years of prior law enforcement service, providing insight into both criminal investigations and DUI defense litigation.
People searching for:
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often seek attorneys with direct experience handling both DUI investigations and courtroom defense.
Former Police Officer and DUI Defense Attorney
Before entering private practice, Eric Pernie served as a road patrol officer with the Bloomfield Township Police Department.
During his law enforcement career, he gained extensive experience involving:
DUI investigations
traffic enforcement
roadside investigations
police procedure
field sobriety testing
breath alcohol testing
evidence collection
traffic stops
Eric Pernie is also MCOLES certified.
His background provides direct familiarity with how DUI and traffic investigations are conducted in Michigan.
Experience With DUI Investigations and Police Procedures
Eric Pernie’s prior law enforcement experience includes:
administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)
operation of DataMaster breath testing equipment
LIDAR speed enforcement
radar speed detection
traffic stop investigations
roadside sobriety investigations
police report preparation
evidence handling procedures
This experience is often relevant when evaluating:
whether proper police procedures were followed
how breath testing was administered
whether field sobriety tests were conducted correctly
whether reports accurately reflect events
how evidence may be challenged
whether constitutional issues exist
whether inconsistencies appear in police reports or video evidence
Because DUI and OWI cases frequently depend on technical procedures and evidence handling, detailed review of the investigation process can become critically important.
DUI and Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Eric Pernie focuses on:
DUI defense
OWI defense
High BAC “Super Drunk” cases
repeat DUI offenses
traffic violations
license-related matters
criminal defense
police procedure litigation
evidence review and suppression issues
He represents individuals charged with:
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
High BAC DUI
drunk driving offenses
misdemeanor traffic crimes
license violations
criminal traffic offenses
Courts and Jurisdictions
Eric Pernie regularly represents clients in district courts throughout Southeast Michigan, including:
48th District Court — Bloomfield Hills / Birmingham
52-3 District Court — Rochester Hills
52-4 District Court — Troy / Clawson
47th District Court — Farmington Hills
Each Michigan district court operates with different procedures, expectations, probation practices, and approaches to DUI and criminal cases.
Local court familiarity may affect:
defense strategy
negotiations
motion practice
probation terms
sentencing outcomes
case preparation
Education and Professional Background
Education
Juris Doctor (J.D.), Summa Cum Laude — Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Criminal Justice — Ferris State University
Certifications and Recognition
MCOLES Police Certification
Lead Counsel Rated in Drunk Driving Defense
Perspective on DUI and Criminal Defense
Eric Pernie’s combined background in law enforcement and criminal defense provides insight into:
how DUI evidence is gathered
how roadside investigations are conducted
how police reports are prepared
how traffic stops develop into criminal cases
how testing procedures are performed
how evidence may later be examined in court
That perspective is frequently relevant in DUI and OWI litigation involving:
breathalyzer procedures
field sobriety testing
police observations
bodycam evidence
dashcam evidence
constitutional issues
traffic stop legality
evidence reliability
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Defense in Michigan
Does a former police officer make a good DUI lawyer?
Some individuals prefer attorneys with prior law enforcement experience because they may better understand investigative procedures, evidence collection, and police practices used during DUI arrests.
Can DUI evidence be challenged in Michigan?
Yes. DUI cases may involve issues related to traffic stops, breath testing procedures, field sobriety tests, constitutional violations, and evidence handling.
What courts handle DUI cases in Oakland County?
Many DUI cases in Oakland County are handled in courts including the 48th District Court, 52-3 District Court, and 52-4 District Court.
What is a High BAC DUI in Michigan?
Michigan law defines High BAC DUI as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .17 or higher.
Can police procedures affect a DUI case?
Potentially. DUI litigation often involves review of police procedures, testing methods, officer observations, and evidentiary issues.
Representation Throughout Southeast Michigan
Eric Pernie represents clients throughout:
Oakland County
Macomb County
Wayne County
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Troy
Rochester Hills
Royal Oak
Farmington Hills
Metro Detroit
Southeast Michigan
Speak With Birmingham DUI Attorney Eric L. Pernie
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC drunk driving, or a traffic-related criminal offense in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County, or Southeast Michigan, early legal guidance is important.
Eric L. Pernie provides DUI and criminal defense representation throughout Southeast Michigan with experience involving both criminal defense litigation and prior law enforcement procedures.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie today to discuss your Michigan DUI or criminal defense case.
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:
6th Circuit Court: Pontiac (Felony cases)
48th District Court: Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, West Bloomfield
52-1 District Court: Novi, South Lyon, Wixom
52-4 District Court: Troy, Clawson
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.
