FRAIBERG & PERNIE
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC, or drunk driving in Macomb County, your case will likely begin in one of the county’s district courts and may start moving quickly.
The decisions made during the first days after an arrest often affect:
Driver’s license consequences
Bond conditions
Available defenses
Negotiation opportunities
Probation requirements
Long-term criminal record exposure
A DUI arrest does not automatically result in a conviction.
Many Michigan DUI cases involve legal, scientific, procedural, and constitutional issues that may significantly affect the outcome.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals charged with DUI and OWI offenses throughout Macomb County, including Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, Shelby Township, Mount Clemens, and surrounding communities.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
OWI (Operating While Intoxicated)
OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired)
High BAC DUI
Super Drunk OWI
Drugged Driving
Repeat DUI Offenses
Datamaster Breath Tests
Blood Test Results
Body Camera Footage
Dash Camera Footage
Field Sobriety Tests
Police Reports
Jail
Probation
License Suspension
Ignition Interlock Requirements
Increased Insurance Costs
Employment Consequences
Traffic Stop Legality
Breath Test Accuracy
Blood Test Reliability
Constitutional Issues
Evidentiary Weaknesses
The first 72 hours often become one of the most important periods in a DUI case.
Keep:
Bond paperwork
Tickets
Court notices
Testing paperwork
Write down:
Why you were stopped
What officers said
Testing that occurred
Timeline of events
Violating bond conditions can create additional problems.
Statements made to police, investigators, or others may become evidence.
Early review often identifies issues before the prosecution fully develops the case.
Michigan generally uses the term:
Operating While Intoxicated.
People often refer to the same offense as DUI.
Related offenses include:
Operating While Visibly Impaired.
Generally involving allegations of a BAC of .17 or greater.
Operating a vehicle while allegedly impaired by controlled substances or medications.
Most Macomb County DUI cases follow a similar process.
The court advises the defendant of the charges and establishes bond conditions.
Attorneys review:
Police reports
Video evidence
Datamaster records
Blood-testing records
Witness information
Negotiations, motions, and legal challenges occur.
The case proceeds to trial or negotiated resolution.
Every case follows its own path depending on the evidence involved.
To obtain a conviction, prosecutors generally must prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.
This may include:
The defendant operated the vehicle.
Evidence supports the allegation.
Scientific evidence is admissible and reliable.
Police followed legal requirements throughout the investigation.
Weaknesses in any area may affect the prosecution’s case.
Many DUI cases look different after attorneys obtain the underlying evidence.
Questions often include:
Was the stop lawful?
Was there probable cause?
Were field sobriety tests administered correctly?
Was the Datamaster functioning properly?
Was blood evidence handled correctly?
Do police reports match the video evidence?
These issues frequently shape negotiations and defense strategy.
For many individuals, driver’s license concerns become the most urgent issue.
Potential consequences may include:
License suspension
Restricted driving privileges
Ignition interlock requirements
Secretary of State sanctions
Future restoration concerns
Protecting driving privileges is often a major component of DUI defense.
Michigan’s implied consent law may apply when a driver refuses certain chemical testing requests after arrest.
Potential consequences may include:
Administrative suspension
Additional license sanctions
Secretary of State proceedings
Strict deadlines frequently apply.
The court handling a DUI case often influences how the case proceeds.
Communities served include:
Sterling Heights
Shelby Township
Communities served include:
Clinton Township
Mount Clemens
Harrison Township
Communities served include:
Warren
Center Line
Each court has its own procedures, probation practices, and expectations.
Effective DUI defense often involves careful analysis of:
Was the stop lawful?
Were standardized procedures followed?
Were testing requirements satisfied?
Were collection and laboratory procedures reliable?
Were legal protections respected throughout the investigation?
Every case requires independent review.
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan DUI lawyer, former prosecutor, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
For more than 28 years he has represented individuals charged with:
DUI
OWI
High BAC DUI
Driver’s License Violations
Criminal Traffic Offenses
Serious Criminal Charges
People frequently seek his representation because of:
Extensive DUI litigation experience
Former prosecutor insight
Knowledge of local court practices
Evidence-focused defense strategies
Experience with breath and blood testing issues
“A DUI arrest is only the beginning of the legal analysis.”
“Scientific evidence should be independently reviewed rather than automatically accepted.”
“For many clients, preserving the ability to drive is one of the most important goals in the case.”
“The strongest opportunities often appear during the earliest stages of a DUI case.”
Not necessarily. Many first-offense cases are resolved without incarceration.
Some cases involve legal or evidentiary issues that affect negotiations and outcomes.
Certain cases involve weaknesses that affect the prosecution’s ability to proceed.
Timelines vary depending on the court, evidence, and legal issues involved.
Yes. Testing procedures and reliability may become important issues.
Yes. Collection, storage, and laboratory procedures may become relevant.
License consequences are common in DUI cases, although outcomes vary.
Many individuals seek legal representation because of the criminal, licensing, employment, and insurance consequences involved.
Fraiberg & Pernie regularly represents individuals throughout:
Sterling Heights
Shelby Township
Clinton Township
Warren
Mount Clemens
Harrison Township
St. Clair Shores
Roseville
Macomb Township
Chesterfield Township
New Baltimore
If you are facing DUI, OWI, High BAC, or drunk-driving allegations in Macomb County, early legal guidance may significantly affect the outcome.
Fraiberg & Pernie provides:
Immediate case evaluation
Evidence-focused review
Driver’s license protection strategies
DUI and OWI defense representation
Call (248) 986-2682 today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Written by Matthew A. Fraiberg
Michigan DUI Lawyer | Former Prosecutor | 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 A. Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients throughout Michigan, including:
Oakland County
Macomb County
Wayne County
We serve clients throughout Michigan, including, but not limited to, those in the following in Oakland County including Southfield, Novi, Troy, Pontiac, Walled Lake, Commerce Township, Waterford, Royal Oak, Rochester Hills, Farmington Hills, Hazel Park, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Keego Harbor, Clarkston, White Lake, Ferndale, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills