FRAIBERG & PERNIE
If you were arrested or charged with OWI/DUI, domestic violence, assault, retail fraud, drug possession, driving with a suspended license, another misdemeanor, or a felony offense that begins in the 52-1 District Court in Novi, the decisions made early in the case can affect what happens next.
The 52nd District Court – 1st Division, commonly called the 52-1 District Court, is located in Novi, Michigan, and handles criminal cases arising within its jurisdiction in Oakland County.
Misdemeanor cases can generally be handled from arraignment through trial and sentencing in the district court. Felony cases begin in district court with proceedings that can include arraignment, probable cause conference, and preliminary examination before potentially being transferred to the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people facing OWI/DUI and criminal charges in the 52-1 District Court and throughout Oakland County.
Court: 52nd District Court – 1st Division
Common Name: 52-1 District Court
Location: Novi, Michigan
Address: 48150 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374
County: Oakland County
Criminal Matters: Misdemeanors and preliminary proceedings in felony cases
Common Cases: OWI/DUI, assault, domestic violence, retail fraud, drug offenses, suspended-license charges, probation violations and other criminal matters
Criminal Defense Firm: Fraiberg & Pernie
Attorney: Matthew Fraiberg
Experience: Michigan attorney since 1997; former prosecutor and former judicial clerk
The criminal division of the 52-1 District Court processes misdemeanor offenses, including traffic and non-traffic criminal matters.
Felony cases also begin in the district court even though felony trials and final felony dispositions generally occur in the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Depending on the charge, a criminal case at the 52-1 District Court may involve:
Arraignment
Bond conditions
Pretrial conferences
Probable cause conferences
Preliminary examinations
Evidentiary motions
Plea negotiations
Trials in misdemeanor cases
Sentencing
Probation
Probation violations
Understanding whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony—and what happens at the next court date—is an important first step in building a defense.
The 52-1 District Court is located in Novi and has jurisdiction over cases arising within the communities assigned to the court.
These include:
Novi
Novi Township
South Lyon
Wixom
Walled Lake
Commerce Township
Highland Township
Lyon Township
Milford Township
Village of Milford
Village of Wolverine Lake
A person does not necessarily have to live in one of these communities to have a case in the 52-1 District Court. The location where the alleged offense occurred generally determines which district court handles the case.
Michigan commonly uses the term OWI—Operating While Intoxicated—for what many people call DUI.
An OWI arrest can create two immediate concerns:
What happens to the criminal case?
What happens to my driver’s license?
The answer depends on the specific charge, chemical test, prior record, facts surrounding the traffic stop and other circumstances.
Potential consequences of an OWI conviction can include:
Jail
Probation
Fines and court costs
Driver’s license sanctions
Points on the driving record
Alcohol or substance-abuse testing
Treatment or educational requirements
Community service
Vehicle immobilization in certain cases
Increased insurance costs
But an arrest is not a conviction.
The prosecution still has to prove its case.
An effective OWI defense starts with the evidence—not assumptions based on the police report.
Depending on the case, Fraiberg & Pernie may examine:
Police generally need a legally sufficient basis to stop a vehicle.
The defense should examine why the officer initiated the stop and whether the available evidence supports that justification.
A traffic stop and an OWI arrest are different events.
The defense can evaluate whether the officer had sufficient evidence to escalate the investigation and make an arrest.
Field sobriety testing should be evaluated in context, including:
Officer instructions
Testing conditions
Road surface
Weather
Footwear
Medical or physical limitations
Video evidence
Actual performance versus the description in the police report
Chemical testing can become a central part of an OWI prosecution.
Depending on the test, defense review may include:
Testing procedures
Instrument records
Blood collection procedures
Laboratory analysis
Chain of custody
Timing
Documentation
Compliance with applicable legal and scientific requirements
Body-camera and dash-camera evidence can be extremely important.
Video sometimes confirms the police report.
Sometimes it provides context the report does not.
The defense should evaluate the evidence itself rather than simply accept an officer’s characterization of what occurred.
Although every case is different, an OWI case in the 52-1 District Court may involve several stages.
The defendant is formally advised of the charge, and the court may address bond and conditions of release.
Depending on the circumstances, bond conditions can include restrictions involving alcohol, controlled substances, travel, testing or other conduct.
The defense and prosecution can discuss the case while evidence is reviewed and potential legal or factual issues are identified.
A pretrial is not simply a date to accept whatever offer is made.
It can be an important stage for investigation and negotiation.
When legally appropriate, the defense may file motions concerning issues such as:
Traffic stops
Searches
Statements
Chemical testing
Constitutional violations
Admissibility of evidence
Depending on the evidence and circumstances, a case may ultimately involve a negotiated resolution, reduction, dismissal, diversion when legally available, or trial.
No attorney can guarantee a particular outcome. The objective is to identify every legitimate defense and pursue the best available result based on the evidence and law.
A common source of confusion is why someone accused of a felony has a case in district court.
Michigan felony cases generally begin in district court.
The 52-1 District Court handles the initial stages of felony cases arising within its jurisdiction.
Those proceedings can include:
Arraignment
Bond determination
Probable cause conference
Preliminary examination
At a preliminary examination, the prosecution has the burden required by Michigan law to establish that a felony was committed and probable cause to believe the defendant committed it.
If the case is bound over, subsequent felony proceedings generally move to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.
This makes the district-court phase an important part of a felony defense.
A domestic violence arrest can have consequences before the case is resolved.
One of the most immediate concerns may be a no-contact bond condition.
Depending on the circumstances, a defendant may be prohibited from contacting an alleged victim or returning to a residence while the case is pending.
Domestic violence cases can involve:
Conflicting versions of events
Self-defense
Witness credibility
911 recordings
Body-camera footage
Photographs
Text messages
Social-media communications
Medical evidence
Statements made at the scene
The defense should investigate the entire context rather than assume that an arrest proves what occurred.
Assault cases frequently turn on details.
Important questions can include:
Who initiated the confrontation?
Was someone acting in self-defense?
Were there independent witnesses?
Does video exist?
Are witness accounts consistent?
Are physical injuries consistent with the allegations?
Were statements taken out of context?
When credibility determines the case, seemingly small inconsistencies can become significant.
Retail fraud cases may involve surveillance video, witness observations, receipts, statements and evidence concerning intent.
A theft-related conviction can create concerns beyond the immediate court penalties, particularly for people worried about:
Employment
Background checks
Professional licensing
Education
Reputation
The evidence and potential collateral consequences should be evaluated before deciding how to resolve the case.
Drug cases can raise important Fourth Amendment issues.
The defense may examine:
Why police initiated contact
Whether a traffic stop was lawful
Whether police had authority to search
Whether consent was actually given
Search-warrant issues
Ownership or possession of the substance
Laboratory testing
Statements made to police
When evidence was obtained through an unconstitutional search or seizure, suppression may become an important defense issue.
A suspended or revoked license charge can create additional problems for someone already attempting to restore driving privileges.
Defense strategy may include determining:
Why the license was suspended or revoked
Whether the defendant had notice
Whether an underlying problem can be corrected
Whether driving privileges can be restored
Whether the charge can be reduced or otherwise favorably resolved
Addressing the underlying license problem can sometimes be as important as addressing the criminal charge itself.
An alleged probation violation should be taken seriously.
Violations can involve accusations such as:
Positive alcohol or drug tests
Missed testing
Failure to report
New criminal charges
Failure to complete counseling or treatment
Failure to pay required amounts
Violation of another probation condition
An allegation does not automatically establish a violation.
The defense should determine exactly what is alleged, what evidence supports the allegation, and whether there is an explanation or legal defense.
Yes, criminal charges can be dismissed, but dismissal depends on the facts and law of the individual case.
Potential issues that can affect a prosecution include:
Unlawful traffic stops
Illegal searches or seizures
Inadmissible statements
Missing or unavailable evidence
Witness credibility problems
Inconsistent testimony
Insufficient evidence
Problems with chemical or forensic testing
Failure to establish required elements of the offense
A lawyer should not promise a dismissal before reviewing the evidence.
The better question is:
What weaknesses exist in the prosecution’s case, and how can they be used strategically?
Potential reductions depend on the charge, criminal and driving history, evidence, prosecutor, legal issues and other circumstances.
Some OWI cases result in negotiated resolutions.
Others may involve motions or trial.
There is no automatic reduction simply because someone has no prior record.
The defense should first determine whether there are grounds to challenge the prosecution’s evidence before deciding whether a negotiated resolution is the best option.
Jail is possible for Michigan OWI offenses, but an OWI charge does not automatically mean that a person will be incarcerated.
The potential outcome depends on factors including:
Exact charge
Prior record
Blood or breath alcohol level
Accident or injuries
Driving behavior
Compliance with bond conditions
Case-specific aggravating and mitigating circumstances
The goal of early representation is to address both the legal defense and the factors that could influence the ultimate outcome.
An OWI case can affect driving privileges, but the exact consequences depend on the offense and circumstances.
Michigan has different licensing consequences for:
OWVI
OWI
High BAC / “Super Drunk”
Second offenses
Third offenses
Implied-consent refusals
Drug-related driving offenses
Because some driver’s-license issues involve separate deadlines or procedures, they should be reviewed promptly after an arrest.
If you have a pending criminal case in the 52-1 District Court:
Follow every bond condition. A new bond violation can make an existing situation substantially worse.
Do not discuss the facts of the case on social media.
Preserve texts, photographs, videos, receipts and other potentially relevant evidence.
Do not contact a complaining witness if a no-contact order prohibits it.
Write down what happened while events are still fresh in your memory.
Identify potential witnesses.
Have an attorney obtain and review the actual evidence.
Do not assume the police report tells the entire story.
Early investigation can preserve evidence that may become difficult or impossible to obtain later.
Michigan criminal law applies throughout the state, but criminal cases are handled by individual courts, judges, prosecutors and probation departments.
An attorney appearing in the 52-1 District Court should understand both the governing law and the practical process of moving a case through that court.
That includes knowing how to prepare for:
Arraignments
Bond issues
Pretrials
Probable cause conferences
Preliminary examinations
Evidentiary motions
Probation matters
Sentencing
Trials
Local familiarity does not guarantee an outcome.
It can, however, help an attorney anticipate procedures, prepare a client and make informed strategic decisions.
Matthew Fraiberg is a Michigan 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 criminal and OWI cases
Fraiberg’s approach begins with a straightforward question:
What does the evidence actually prove?
That means looking beyond the accusation and examining the evidence that the government would actually have to use in court.
Fraiberg & Pernie focuses on criminal and DUI/OWI defense throughout Oakland County and Southeast Michigan.
The firm’s defense approach emphasizes:
Police reports are a starting point—not the final word.
Video, witness testimony, chemical testing, constitutional issues and other evidence must be independently evaluated.
Matthew Fraiberg’s background as a former prosecutor provides experience evaluating criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom.
Effective negotiation is stronger when the defense is prepared to challenge evidence and litigate issues when necessary.
Decades of practice in Oakland County provide practical familiarity with its district courts and the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Every case should have a purpose.
The defense strategy may involve suppression of evidence, dismissal, reduction, diversion when available, mitigation, negotiation or trial depending on what the facts support.
Before hiring an attorney for a case in the 52-1 District Court, consider asking:
How much of your practice involves criminal defense?
How frequently do you handle Michigan OWI cases?
Have you handled cases in the 52-1 District Court?
Who will actually appear with me in court?
Will you personally review the body-camera and dash-camera evidence?
How do you evaluate breath or blood evidence?
What potential weaknesses do you see in my case?
What are the possible driver’s-license consequences?
What should I do before my next court date?
What is your strategy if the prosecution will not make an acceptable offer?
The attorney should be able to explain both the potential risks and the strategy in understandable terms.
The 52-1 District Court is located at 48150 Grand River Avenue, Novi, Michigan 48374.
The court is located in Oakland County, Michigan.
Its criminal division handles misdemeanor criminal matters and the district-court stages of felony prosecutions arising within the court’s jurisdiction.
Yes. Michigan OWI cases arising within the court’s geographic jurisdiction may be prosecuted in the 52-1 District Court.
Michigan law primarily uses the term Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). “DUI” is commonly used by the public to describe drunk-driving charges.
Felony cases generally begin in district court. If a felony case is bound over following the applicable district-court proceedings, it moves to the Oakland County Circuit Court.
The defendant is informed of the charge, and the court can address the plea, bond and conditions of release.
Potential reductions depend on the facts, evidence, legal issues, prior history and prosecution. No reduction is automatic.
An OWI case can potentially be dismissed when the facts or law support dismissal, but no attorney can promise that result without evaluating the case.
Yes. Body-camera and dash-camera recordings can be important because they may show the traffic stop, officer instructions, field sobriety testing, statements and the defendant’s actual appearance and behavior.
Breath-test evidence can be evaluated for legal, procedural and evidentiary issues. Whether a particular test can be successfully challenged depends on the facts.
Potential issues can involve the blood draw, testing procedures, laboratory analysis, chain of custody, documentation and admissibility.
An alleged implied-consent refusal can create driver’s-license consequences separate from the criminal OWI case. Because deadlines may apply, the issue should be reviewed promptly.
Jail is legally possible, but the actual outcome depends on the charge and individual circumstances. A first-offense OWI does not automatically mean incarceration.
It can. The specific driver’s-license consequences depend on the offense, prior history and circumstances.
Repeat OWI allegations carry greater potential consequences and should be evaluated carefully for both criminal and driver’s-license implications.
A qualifying third OWI is significantly more serious and can be prosecuted as a felony under Michigan law.
A defendant has legal rights concerning representation, but criminal cases can involve constitutional, evidentiary, sentencing and licensing issues that may not be apparent from the charging document alone.
Statements can become evidence. A person facing criminal allegations should consider obtaining legal advice before discussing the facts of the case with law enforcement.
Follow it unless and until the court changes it. Do not assume that the other person’s willingness to communicate overrides a court order.
An alleged bond violation can result in additional court proceedings and potentially stricter conditions or revocation of bond.
No. No attorney can legitimately guarantee a criminal case outcome. Court familiarity can help with preparation and strategy, but the evidence and law ultimately matter.
As early as possible. Early representation may help preserve evidence, identify witnesses, address bond issues and develop the defense before opportunities are lost.
If you have been arrested or charged with OWI/DUI, domestic violence, assault, retail fraud, drug possession, a suspended-license offense, another misdemeanor, or a felony beginning in the 52-1 District Court, the next step should be understanding exactly what you are facing.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients in the 52-1 District Court in Novi and throughout Oakland County, Michigan.
Matthew A. Fraiberg has practiced law in Michigan since 1997 and brings experience as a criminal defense lawyer, former prosecutor and former judicial clerk to the defense of Michigan criminal cases.
The firm’s approach begins with the evidence:
Why were you stopped?
Was the search lawful?
Was the arrest supported by probable cause?
What does the video show?
Can the prosecution prove every element of the charge?
What strategy gives you the best opportunity for a favorable result?
If you are facing a criminal charge in the 52-1 District Court in Novi, contact Fraiberg & Pernie to request a confidential consultation.
Protect your record. Protect your license. Protect your career. Protect your future.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
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Written by Matthew Fraiberg
Attorney Reviewed August, 2026
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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
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