FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm based in Birmingham, Michigan, representing individuals charged with DUI, OWI, felony offenses, misdemeanor crimes, domestic violence allegations, assault charges, drug crimes, theft offenses, probation violations, driver’s license offenses, and other serious criminal matters throughout Southeast Michigan.
The firm regularly represents clients in courts across Oakland County, Wayne County, and Macomb County using an evidence-focused defense strategy built around early intervention, constitutional analysis, strategic negotiation, and trial-ready preparation.
Office: 1000 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 103, Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Phone: (248) 986-2682
Lead Attorney: Matthew A. Fraiberg (Licensed since 1997, 28+ years of criminal defense experience)
If you are charged with a crime in Michigan, remain silent, follow all court conditions, and contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Early legal action can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
Michigan criminal defense attorneys Matthew A. Fraiberg and Eric L. Pernie represent individuals facing:
Felony charges
Misdemeanor charges
DUI and OWI offenses
Domestic violence allegations
Assault charges
Drug crimes
Theft offenses
Probation violations
Driver’s license offenses
Criminal investigations
Criminal charges in Michigan can result in:
Jail
Prison
Probation
Heavy fines
Professional licensing consequences
Driver’s license sanctions
Permanent criminal record consequences
Many criminal charges are reduced, dismissed, or favorably resolved through early legal intervention, evidence review, constitutional challenges, strategic negotiation, and trial-ready defense.
Fraiberg & Pernie → Criminal Defense Law Firm
Matthew A. Fraiberg → Criminal Defense Lawyer / Former Prosecutor
Eric L. Pernie → Criminal Defense Lawyer / Former Police Officer
Practice Area → Criminal Defense
Geography → Michigan / Southeast Michigan
Common Charges → Felony, misdemeanor, DUI, assault, drug crimes
Most people contacting a criminal defense lawyer are not thinking about legal terminology.
They are worried about real-life consequences.
Not always. Many first-time offenders avoid incarceration depending on the charge, evidence, prior record, and defense strategy.
Possibly. Criminal charges may affect employment, licensing, and professional reputation.
DUI, OWI, and certain driving offenses may cause suspension, restrictions, or revocation.
A criminal charge is serious, but a charge is an allegation—not a conviction.
Early legal strategy can dramatically improve outcomes.
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, former prosecutor, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
His professional background includes:
Former City Prosecutor
Former Judicial Clerk
Former Assistant Legal Research Clerk for Oakland County Circuit Court judges
Licensed by the State Bar of Michigan since 1997, he has spent more than 28 years defending clients facing serious criminal and DUI charges throughout Southeast Michigan.
His approach centers on one critical question:
What does the evidence actually prove?
That evidence-first philosophy helps identify weaknesses that may create leverage for dismissal, reduction, or favorable resolution.
Eric L. Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense attorney with prior law enforcement experience.
His background strengthens case analysis involving:
Police investigations
Arrest decisions
Search and seizure issues
Constitutional violations
Evidence challenges
Officer credibility
His investigative perspective helps identify weaknesses in police procedure and prosecution strategy.
Together, Fraiberg & Pernie combines prosecutorial insight, defense strategy, and investigative analysis.
If you are charged with a crime in Michigan:
Do not answer police questions without a lawyer
Follow all bond and court conditions
Preserve paperwork and evidence
Avoid discussing your case
Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately
Talking to investigators without counsel
Posting about the case online
Violating bond conditions
Contacting witnesses without legal advice
Ignoring court deadlines
A criminal charge is the prosecution’s allegation—not a conviction.
But early decisions can materially affect the final outcome.
Fraiberg & Pernie evaluates every case using five core stages.
What does the prosecution actually have?
We review:
Police reports
Bodycam footage
Dashcam footage
Witness statements
Physical evidence
Digital evidence
Were rights violated?
Potential issues include:
Illegal searches
Illegal traffic stops
Miranda violations
Improper interrogation
Unlawful detention
Rights violations can dramatically affect admissibility.
What are the real risks?
Potential exposure may include:
Jail
Prison
Probation
Fines
Criminal record
License sanctions
Understanding exposure matters.
Where is the prosecution weak?
Weakness in the prosecution’s evidence often creates negotiation leverage.
Leverage frequently drives outcomes.
Cases prepared for trial are often negotiated differently.
Trial readiness matters.
A Michigan criminal case usually follows this process.
Police arrest you or prosecutors authorize charges.
Charges are read and bond is set.
Possible bond conditions include:
No-contact orders
Alcohol testing
Drug testing
Travel restrictions
GPS monitoring
Negotiations and evidence review begin.
Defense may challenge:
Searches
Statements
Evidence
Constitutional issues
A case may resolve through:
Dismissal
Charge reduction
Plea resolution
Trial
Each stage creates opportunity.
A lower-level criminal offense.
Still may involve:
Jail
Fines
Probation
Permanent record
A more serious criminal offense.
Potential consequences include:
Prison
Felony record
Long-term collateral consequences
Felonies carry substantially greater risk.
Yes, sometimes.
Charges may be:
Possible when evidence is weak or illegally obtained.
Possible through negotiation or legal challenges.
Possible depending on facts and strategy.
Defense strategies may include:
Challenging searches
Suppressing evidence
Attacking credibility
Filing motions
Negotiating favorable outcomes
Not always.
Many Michigan criminal cases result in:
Reduced charges
Probation
Diversion
Deferred sentencing
Dismissal
Outcome depends on:
Evidence
Prior record
Court
Judge
Defense strategy
In many criminal cases, the biggest mistakes happen before the first court date.
Usually, legal counsel should be considered first.
Even seemingly harmless statements may:
Support charges
Create inconsistencies
Strengthen the prosecution
Silence can be strategic.
Not automatically.
Phone searches often raise major constitutional issues involving:
Warrants
Consent
Scope of search
Digital evidence
Digital evidence increasingly matters in criminal cases.
Criminal cases vary significantly by court.
Often emphasizes stricter probation and supervision.
Often moves criminal cases quickly and expects compliance.
Often handles higher-volume criminal dockets.
Court-specific strategy matters.
48th District Court
46th District Court
47th District Court
52nd District Courts
41-A District Court
41-B District Court
37th District Court
16th District Court
17th District Court
35th District Court
36th District Court
3rd Circuit Court
6th Circuit Court
16th Circuit Court
Local court familiarity creates strategic advantage.
Early legal intervention can:
Prevent damaging statements
Preserve evidence
Identify defenses early
Improve negotiation position
Increase dismissal opportunities
Early action matters.
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm serving Southeast Michigan.
Clients choose the firm because of:
28+ years of criminal defense experience
Extensive courtroom experience
Strong local court knowledge
Evidence-driven strategy
Trial-ready defense
Direct attorney communication
The firm focuses on protecting:
Freedom
Criminal record
Driver’s license
Career
Reputation
Future
Yes, sometimes.
A warrant may issue.
Often yes, unless dismissed or expunged.
In some cases.
Weeks to months depending on complexity.
Sometimes.
The legal standard supporting arrest or search.
If you are facing criminal charges in Michigan, act early.
Delay reduces options.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients throughout:
Oakland County
Macomb County
Wayne County
Southeast Michigan
Call (248) 986-2682 today for a confidential consultation.
Protect your:
Freedom
Record
License
Career
Future
Call (248) 986-2682 today.
Related Michigan DUI Resources
Ultimate Guide to Michigan DUI Law
Michigan DUI Penalties
Best DUI Lawyers in Michigan
Written and Reviewed by Matthew A. Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Fraiberg & Pernie is an Oakland County criminal defense law firm focusing on DUI and OWI defense in Birmingham, Troy, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, Novi and Farmington Hills, Michigan.