DUI / OWI Defense in the 47th District Court – Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills DUI Lawyer – OWI, OWVI & High BAC Defense in the 47th District Court
Quick Answer: Arrested for DUI or OWI in Farmington Hills?
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, OWVI or High BAC in Farmington Hills or Farmington, Michigan, your case will generally be handled in the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills.
An OWI arrest can create immediate concerns involving:
Driver’s-license consequences
Bond conditions
Alcohol or drug testing
Employment
Professional licensing
Vehicle issues
Criminal record
Evidence preservation
An arrest is not a conviction.
The prosecution still has to prove the charge, and the evidence should be independently reviewed before deciding how the case should be resolved.
Matthew Fraiberg, managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie, has practiced criminal defense in Michigan since 1997. His professional background includes experience as a former prosecutor and former judicial clerk.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals charged with OWI and DUI in the 47th District Court, Farmington Hills, Farmington and throughout Oakland County, Michigan.
Call (248) 986-2682 to request a confidential consultation.
Last reviewed and updated: August 2026
Farmington Hills DUI & 47th District Court at a Glance
Court: 47th District Court
Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan
County: Oakland County
Communities Served: Farmington Hills and Farmington
Common Charges: OWI, OWVI, High BAC, drugged driving and criminal traffic offenses
Common Evidence: Body-camera video, dash-camera video, field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood tests and police reports
Common Concerns: Bond, driver’s license, testing, employment and criminal record
Law Firm: Fraiberg & Pernie
Attorney: Matthew Fraiberg
Experience: Michigan attorney since 1997
Professional Background: Criminal defense attorney, former prosecutor and former judicial clerk
What Is the 47th District Court?
The 47th District Court is the district court serving the cities of Farmington Hills and Farmington in Oakland County, Michigan.
The court handles matters including misdemeanor criminal cases and the district-court stages of felony prosecutions arising within its jurisdiction.
For a misdemeanor OWI case, proceedings may include:
Arraignment
Bond
Pretrial conferences
Discovery
Motions
Plea negotiations
Trial
Sentencing
Probation
The location where the alleged offense occurred generally determines which district court handles the case—not where the defendant lives.
Is the 47th District Court Strict on DUI Cases?
Every DUI case is different, and bond and sentencing decisions depend on the judge, facts, prior record and individual circumstances.
Based on Fraiberg & Pernie’s experience handling criminal and OWI matters in Oakland County, defendants should take bond conditions, testing requirements and court compliance seriously from the beginning of the case.
Depending on the circumstances, bond conditions may involve:
Alcohol testing
Drug testing
No-alcohol requirements
Travel restrictions
Reporting requirements
Other court-ordered conditions
The written bond order controls.
Do not assume that work, travel or other personal obligations automatically create an exception to a bond condition.
What Should I Do During the First 72 Hours After a DUI Arrest?
The period immediately following an arrest can be important because evidence may disappear and court requirements may already be in effect.
1. Read Your Bond Conditions
Know exactly what the court requires.
Do not guess about:
Alcohol use
Drug use
Testing
Travel
Reporting
Court appearances
2. Preserve Every Document
Save:
Citation
Bond paperwork
Court notices
Police paperwork
Property receipts
Testing instructions
Driver’s-license documents
3. Preserve Evidence
Potential evidence may include:
Body-camera recordings
Dash-camera recordings
Surveillance video
Witness information
Photographs
Receipts
Text messages
Phone records
Medical information
Location information
4. Write Down What Happened
Document your recollection while it is fresh.
Include:
Where you were
When you were stopped
What the officer said
What you said
Field sobriety instructions
Breath or blood testing
Witnesses
Anything unusual about the investigation
5. Do Not Discuss the Case Online
Social-media posts can become evidence.
What Happens at Arraignment in the 47th District Court?
Arraignment is often the first formal court proceeding.
The court may:
Advise the defendant of the charge
Explain potential penalties
Address bond
Establish conditions of release
Schedule future proceedings
Bond conditions can become effective immediately.
Compliance matters.
A bond violation can create a new problem while the original OWI charge is still pending.
What Happens During the Pretrial Stage?
The pretrial stage is where much of the substantive defense work occurs.
The defense may:
Obtain discovery
Review police reports
Obtain body-camera footage
Review dash-camera footage
Examine field sobriety testing
Review breath-test evidence
Review blood-test evidence
Identify witnesses
Investigate constitutional issues
Discuss potential resolutions
Prepare motions
Prepare for trial
Many cases resolve before trial.
That does not mean the defendant should automatically accept the first plea offer.
The evidence should be evaluated first.
Who Is Matthew Fraiberg?
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan DUI and criminal defense attorney and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
He has practiced law in Michigan since 1997 and has more than 28 years of legal experience.
His professional background includes:
Criminal defense attorney
Former prosecutor
Former judicial clerk
Former assistant legal research clerk working with Oakland County Circuit Court judges
Extensive experience handling Michigan DUI and OWI matters
His approach begins with a fundamental question:
What does the evidence actually prove?
That requires looking beyond the arrest and examining:
Why the vehicle was stopped
Whether the stop was lawful
Whether probable cause existed
What the video shows
How field sobriety tests were administered
How breath or blood evidence was obtained
Whether constitutional protections were followed
Whether the prosecution can prove every required element
How a Farmington Hills OWI Case Is Evaluated
Was the Traffic Stop Lawful?
An officer generally needs a legally sufficient reason to stop a vehicle.
Potential issues may involve:
Speeding
Lane violations
Equipment violations
Erratic driving
Citizen reports
Accident investigations
Other alleged traffic offenses
The defense should identify the officer’s stated justification and determine whether the available evidence supports it.
Did Police Have Probable Cause to Arrest?
A traffic stop does not automatically justify an OWI arrest.
Police may rely on:
Driving behavior
Odor of alcohol
Speech
Eyes
Balance
Field sobriety testing
Preliminary breath testing
Statements
Witness observations
Video
The officer’s conclusions should be compared with the objective evidence whenever possible.
Can Field Sobriety Tests Be Challenged?
Potentially.
The defense may evaluate:
Instructions
Demonstration
Testing conditions
Road surface
Weather
Lighting
Footwear
Physical limitations
Medical conditions
Actual performance
Officer interpretation
Body-camera footage
Video may provide significantly more context than the written police report.
Can a Breath Test Be Challenged?
Potentially.
Breath-test review may involve:
Testing procedures
Instrument records
Maintenance records
Observation requirements
Operator procedures
Documentation
Compliance with applicable testing requirements
A breath-test number is important evidence.
It is not the only evidence.
Can a Blood Test Be Challenged?
Potentially.
Blood-test issues may involve:
Authority for the blood draw
Search warrant
Collection
Storage
Transportation
Chain of custody
Laboratory procedures
Analytical method
Documentation
Timing
Scientific evidence must still satisfy applicable legal and evidentiary requirements.
Why Body-Camera Evidence Matters
Body-camera footage can provide an independent record of an OWI investigation.
It may show:
Speech
Balance
Coordination
Officer instructions
Field sobriety testing
Statements
Scene conditions
Search or arrest procedures
Sometimes video supports the police report.
Sometimes it provides additional context or contradicts important details.
That is why the actual recording should be reviewed when available.
OWI, OWVI and High BAC in Michigan
OWI – Operating While Intoxicated
Michigan commonly uses OWI rather than DUI.
For most drivers age 21 or older, a BAC of 0.08 or higher can support a per se OWI charge.
A person may also face an OWI allegation based on intoxication even when the prosecution’s theory does not depend solely on a 0.08 BAC result.
OWVI – Operating While Visibly Impaired
OWVI means Operating While Visibly Impaired.
OWVI is a separate Michigan alcohol or drug-related driving offense and generally carries less severe consequences than OWI.
Whether an OWI can be reduced to OWVI depends on the facts, evidence, prosecutor and circumstances.
There is no automatic reduction.
High BAC – 0.17 or Higher
Michigan’s High BAC law applies to certain first-offense cases involving an alleged BAC of 0.17 or higher.
High BAC carries enhanced consequences compared with an ordinary first OWI and can involve:
Increased potential jail
Increased fines
Driver’s-license consequences
Mandatory alcohol treatment
Ignition-interlock requirements for restricted driving privileges
A High BAC result does not eliminate potential defenses.
The stop, arrest and chemical-testing evidence should still be reviewed.
Will I Go to Jail for a First DUI in Farmington Hills?
Not necessarily.
Jail is legally possible for a Michigan OWI offense, but a first arrest does not automatically mean incarceration.
The outcome can depend on:
Exact charge
BAC
Driving behavior
Accident
Injury
Prior record
Evidence
Legal issues
Bond compliance
Mitigating circumstances
No attorney should promise a particular sentence before evaluating the case.
Will I Lose My Driver’s License?
Possibly.
Driver’s-license consequences depend on factors such as:
OWI versus OWVI
High BAC
Prior convictions
Chemical-test refusal
Final case disposition
Some driver’s-license consequences are imposed by the Michigan Secretary of State rather than the district-court judge.
That distinction can be important.
What if I Refused a Chemical Test?
An alleged refusal under Michigan’s implied-consent law can create driver’s-license consequences separate from the criminal OWI prosecution.
Deadlines may apply.
Do not assume that resolving the criminal case automatically resolves an implied-consent matter.
Prompt review is important.
Can a Farmington Hills DUI Be Reduced?
Possibly, but no reduction is automatic.
Factors can include:
Strength of the evidence
BAC
Prior record
Constitutional issues
Chemical-testing issues
Video
Accident or injury
Mitigation
Prosecutorial evaluation
Some cases result in negotiated reductions.
Others involve motions or trial.
The defense should evaluate the evidence before deciding whether negotiation is the best strategy.
Can a Farmington Hills DUI Be Dismissed?
Potentially, when the evidence or law supports dismissal.
Possible issues may include:
Unlawful traffic stop
Lack of probable cause
Suppressed evidence
Improperly obtained statements
Chemical-testing problems
Constitutional violations
Missing evidence
Witness problems
Insufficient evidence
No attorney can ethically guarantee dismissal.
A better question is:
Where is the prosecution’s case vulnerable?
What Happens if I Miss an Alcohol Test?
A missed or failed test can potentially create a bond-compliance issue depending on the court order.
Possible consequences can include:
Additional testing
Modified bond conditions
Increased restrictions
Bond review
Other court action
If a test is missed, do not ignore it.
Contact your attorney and address the situation promptly.
Can I Travel for Work While My Case Is Pending?
Possibly.
The answer depends on the bond order.
If travel is restricted, employment does not automatically override the restriction.
When court approval is necessary, the issue should be addressed before making travel arrangements.
What Happens if I Violate Bond?
An alleged bond violation may result in a hearing.
Depending on the circumstances, the court may consider:
Additional restrictions
Increased testing
Modification of bond
Increased bond
Revocation of bond
Other appropriate action
The simplest strategy is prevention:
Know every bond condition and comply with it.
What Happens at Sentencing?
If a case results in a plea or conviction, the court determines the sentence.
Depending on the offense and circumstances, information considered may include:
Facts of the offense
Prior criminal history
Driving history
Substance-use assessment
Probation recommendations
Treatment history
Employment
Education
Family circumstances
Community involvement
Compliance while the case was pending
Mitigating information
Sentencing preparation can therefore begin well before the actual sentencing date.
Professional and Employment Consequences of a DUI
A DUI can create concerns beyond court.
People in licensed or regulated professions may need to consider:
Employer reporting requirements
Professional licensing rules
Commercial driver’s-license consequences
Security clearances
Transportation requirements
Background checks
Doctors, nurses, lawyers, pilots, teachers, accountants and other professionals may face issues unique to their occupations.
The criminal case and professional consequences should be considered together.
Six Mistakes to Avoid After a Farmington Hills DUI Arrest
1. Assuming a First Offense Is Minor
A first OWI can still affect driving privileges, employment, insurance and criminal history.
2. Violating Bond Conditions
A preventable bond problem can make the underlying case more difficult.
3. Missing Alcohol or Drug Tests
Know the testing schedule and comply with the court order.
4. Posting About the Case
Social-media posts can become evidence.
5. Ignoring Driver’s-License Issues
Criminal proceedings and driver’s-license matters are not always the same process.
6. Pleading Before Reviewing the Evidence
The police report does not necessarily contain every fact relevant to the defense.
Why Local 47th District Court Experience Matters
Michigan OWI law applies statewide.
But an individual case is handled by a particular:
Court
Judge
Prosecutor
Police department
Probation department
An attorney familiar with the 47th District Court can better understand the procedures involved and prepare the client for what happens next.
Local familiarity cannot guarantee an outcome.
It can improve preparation and strategic decision-making.
How Do I Choose a Farmington Hills DUI Lawyer?
Someone searching for the best DUI lawyer in Farmington Hills is usually trying to determine which attorney is best suited for the particular case.
Consider asking:
How much of your practice involves criminal defense?
How many OWI cases do you handle?
Have you handled cases in the 47th District Court?
Who will actually appear with me?
Will you personally review body-camera footage?
Will you review breath or blood evidence?
Do you handle implied-consent matters?
How do you decide whether to file a motion?
Are you prepared to take the case to trial?
How will you address driver’s-license consequences?
No lawyer can ethically guarantee a particular outcome.
Experience, preparation and evidence review matter.
Farmington Hills DUI Frequently Asked Questions
What court handles a Farmington Hills DUI?
OWI and other misdemeanor criminal cases arising in Farmington Hills are generally handled by the 47th District Court.
What court handles a Farmington DUI?
The 47th District Court also serves the City of Farmington.
Is DUI called OWI in Michigan?
Yes. People commonly use “DUI,” but Michigan law primarily uses the term Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).
What is the legal BAC limit in Michigan?
For most drivers age 21 or older, the per se BAC threshold is 0.08.
What is High BAC in Michigan?
Michigan’s High BAC law applies to certain first offenses involving a BAC of 0.17 or higher.
Is High BAC automatically a felony?
No. A BAC of 0.17 or higher does not by itself automatically make a first offense a felony.
Can a first OWI result in jail?
Yes, jail is legally possible, but a first OWI arrest does not automatically result in incarceration.
Can OWI be reduced to OWVI?
Potentially. The answer depends on the evidence, facts, prosecutor and circumstances.
Can an OWI be dismissed?
Potentially, when the evidence or law supports dismissal.
Can I challenge the traffic stop?
Yes. Whether a challenge has merit depends on why police initiated the stop and the evidence supporting that decision.
Can field sobriety tests be challenged?
Potentially. Administration, instructions, conditions and interpretation may all be relevant.
Can a breath test be challenged?
Potentially. Testing procedures and supporting records can be reviewed.
Can a blood test be challenged?
Potentially. Collection, warrant, chain of custody, laboratory procedures and admissibility may become relevant.
Can body-camera footage help?
Yes. Video can provide information that is missing from—or sometimes inconsistent with—the written police report.
What happens if I refused the chemical test?
An alleged implied-consent refusal can create a separate driver’s-license matter that should be addressed promptly.
Can I travel while my DUI case is pending?
Possibly. Follow the written bond order and obtain permission when required.
What happens if I miss court?
The court may issue a warrant or take other action depending on the circumstances.
What happens if I violate bond?
The court can review and potentially modify or revoke bond.
Will a DUI affect my job?
It may, depending on the occupation, employer and job requirements.
Can a DUI affect my professional license?
Potentially. Licensing authorities may have reporting or disciplinary requirements separate from the criminal case.
How much does a Farmington Hills DUI lawyer cost?
Attorney fees depend on factors such as the charge, complexity of the evidence, anticipated motions and whether the case proceeds to trial.
How long does a Farmington Hills DUI case take?
There is no universal timeline. Discovery, laboratory testing, negotiations, motions, scheduling and trial preparation can affect how long the case remains pending.
When should I contact a DUI attorney?
Early representation can help identify driver’s-license deadlines, preserve evidence, obtain video and begin evaluating the prosecution’s case.
Why Clients Choose Fraiberg & Pernie
Fraiberg & Pernie concentrates its practice on criminal defense and DUI/OWI matters throughout Oakland County and Southeast Michigan.
The firm’s approach emphasizes:
Evidence-First Defense
Do not assume the arrest proves guilt.
Review the evidence.
Former City Prosecutor Experience
Matthew Fraiberg’s former prosecutorial experience provides perspective on how criminal cases are evaluated and prosecuted.
Oakland County Experience
Fraiberg has practiced law since 1997 and has extensive experience handling criminal and OWI matters throughout Oakland County.
Courtroom Preparation
Effective negotiation is stronger when the defense is prepared to challenge legitimate legal and evidentiary issues.
Driver’s-License Strategy
An OWI case should be evaluated for both criminal and driver’s-license consequences.
Client Preparation
Clients should understand:
The charge
The evidence
Bond conditions
Driver’s-license issues
Defense options
What happens next
Speak With a Farmington Hills DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, OWVI, High BAC or another alcohol-related driving offense in Farmington Hills or Farmington, do not assume that the outcome has already been determined.
A proper OWI defense should ask:
Why was the vehicle stopped?
Was the stop lawful?
Was there probable cause to arrest?
What does the body-camera footage show?
Were field sobriety tests properly administered?
Is the breath or blood evidence reliable and admissible?
Were constitutional protections followed?
Can the prosecution prove every required element?
Matthew Fraiberg has practiced law in Michigan since 1997 and brings experience as a criminal defense attorney, former prosecutor and former judicial clerk to the defense of Michigan OWI cases.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals facing OWI and DUI charges in the 47th District Court, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Oakland County and throughout Southeast Michigan.
For a confidential consultation, call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682.
Protect your license. Protect your record. Protect your career. Protect your future.
Last reviewed and updated: August 2026
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
28+ years experience
