FRAIBERG & PERNIE
If you have been arrested, charged with a crime, served with a warrant, or contacted by police about a criminal investigation in Oakland County, the decisions you make early in the case can matter.
Do not try to talk your way out of the situation. Preserve potential evidence, follow all bond and court orders, avoid discussing the allegations on social media, and speak with an experienced Oakland County criminal defense attorney before making decisions that could affect your case.
An arrest is an allegation—not a conviction.
The prosecution still has the burden of proving the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people facing OWI/DUI, felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, assault, drug, theft, probation-violation and other criminal charges throughout Oakland County, Michigan.
The firm’s attorneys bring two different backgrounds to criminal defense:
Matthew Fraiberg is a former prosecutor and former Oakland County Judicial Clerk with more than 28 years of legal experience.
Eric L. Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense attorney and former police officer with more than 10 years of law-enforcement experience.
Together, those backgrounds provide experience evaluating criminal cases from both the prosecution and law-enforcement perspectives.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 to request a confidential consultation.
The exact process depends on the charge, arresting agency, court and whether the allegation is a misdemeanor or felony.
A criminal case may involve:
Police investigation or arrest
Booking or processing
Arraignment
Bond and conditions of release
Discovery and evidence review
Pretrial proceedings
Motions when appropriate
Negotiations
Preliminary examination in felony cases
Circuit Court proceedings in felony cases
Plea, dismissal, trial, sentencing or another resolution
Not every case goes through every stage.
Understanding where your case is in the process is one of the first steps toward making informed decisions about your defense.
One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is believing that explaining the situation to police will automatically make the case disappear.
Statements can become evidence.
You may not know what witnesses have said, what video exists or what other evidence investigators already possess.
If police want to question you about suspected criminal activity, consider speaking with an attorney before making statements about the allegations.
Depending on the case, relevant evidence might include:
Text messages
Emails
Photographs
Cell-phone video
Surveillance footage
Receipts
GPS or location information
Medical records
Witness information
Social-media records
Some evidence can disappear quickly.
Surveillance systems may overwrite recordings and witnesses’ memories can change over time.
While the details are fresh, write down what you remember.
Include things such as:
Times
Locations
Witnesses
Police statements
Searches
Testing
Photographs or video
Potential surveillance cameras
Other circumstances that may become relevant
Do not publish your account online.
Determine:
Which Oakland County court is handling the case
Your next court date
Whether testing is required
Whether travel is restricted
Whether there is a no-contact order
Whether firearm restrictions apply
Whether you have reporting requirements
Bond conditions are court orders.
Follow the actual order rather than relying on what happened in someone else’s case.
An arraignment is generally the first formal court appearance in a criminal case.
The court may:
Advise you of the charge
Explain certain rights
Address bond
Establish conditions of release
Address no-contact provisions
Impose alcohol or drug testing when appropriate
Schedule future proceedings
An arraignment is not a trial.
However, bond conditions established early in the case can affect employment, travel, family relationships and everyday life while the case remains pending.
Understanding the distinction helps explain which court will handle the case.
Misdemeanor cases are generally handled in the District Court with jurisdiction over the location where the alleged offense occurred.
The District Court generally handles the case from arraignment through resolution.
Felony cases generally begin in a District Court.
Early proceedings may include:
Arraignment
Probable cause conference
Preliminary examination
If the felony case is bound over, subsequent proceedings generally occur in the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.
Those proceedings may include motions, pretrial conferences, pleas, trials and sentencing.
A criminal-defense strategy should begin with the evidence rather than simply the name of the charge.
Depending on the allegations, evidence can include:
Police reports
Body-camera recordings
Dash-camera video
Surveillance footage
911 recordings
Witness statements
Photographs
Text messages
Social-media evidence
Search warrants
Breath-test records
Blood-test results
Laboratory reports
Medical records
Cell-phone information
Financial records
Expert reports
A police report should not automatically be treated as the complete story.
Other evidence may confirm, contradict, supplement or provide context for what appears in the written report.
This is where the firm’s professional backgrounds become particularly relevant.
Matthew A. Fraiberg previously served as a City Prosecutor.
When evaluating a criminal case, important questions may include:
Can the prosecution prove every required element?
What evidence supports the charge?
Are important witnesses credible?
Are there inconsistencies?
What evidence helps the defense?
Are there legal or evidentiary weaknesses?
What issues could affect negotiations or trial?
The objective is not to assume the police report is correct or incorrect.
It is to determine what the admissible evidence can actually prove.
Eric L. Pernie served as a police officer for more than 10 years before becoming a criminal defense attorney.
His law-enforcement background can provide additional perspective when evaluating:
Traffic stops
Police investigations
Officer observations
Police reports
Arrest procedures
Searches
Evidence collection
Body-camera recordings
Field sobriety testing in OWI cases
Police reports, video and other evidence can then be compared to determine whether the different pieces of the investigation are consistent.
Sometimes—but no criminal defense attorney can responsibly promise a dismissal or reduction without evaluating the evidence and applicable law.
Potential defense issues may include:
Insufficient evidence
Unreliable witnesses
Conflicting statements
Constitutional violations
Unlawful searches or seizures
Problems involving statements or interrogations
Missing evidence
Scientific or laboratory issues
Identification problems
Failure to establish an element of the offense
Some issues may be addressed through negotiation.
Others may require motions or evidentiary hearings.
Some cases ultimately require trial.
The appropriate strategy depends on the evidence and circumstances of the individual case.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people accused of:
First-offense OWI
OWVI
High BAC
Second-offense OWI
Third-offense felony OWI
Drugged driving
Implied-consent violations
OWI cases can involve traffic-stop issues, field sobriety testing, body-camera video, breath testing, blood evidence and driver’s-license consequences.
Related resource: Oakland County DUI & OWI Guide
Domestic-violence cases can create immediate bond and no-contact issues.
Evidence may include:
911 recordings
Body-camera video
Witness statements
Photographs
Medical information
Text messages
Social-media communications
Related resource: Michigan Domestic Violence Defense Guide
Assault cases can involve competing accounts of what occurred.
Potential issues can include:
Self-defense
Witness credibility
Video evidence
Injuries
Intent
Whether the prosecution can establish every element
Related resource: Michigan Assault Defense Guide
Drug cases can involve questions concerning:
Possession
Knowledge
Traffic stops
Vehicle searches
Search warrants
Laboratory analysis
Constitutional protections
Related resource: Michigan Drug Crime Defense Guide
These cases may involve:
Surveillance footage
Identification evidence
Witness statements
Receipts
Questions concerning intent
Alleged violations can involve:
New criminal charges
Failed or missed testing
Failure to report
Failure to complete required programming
Violation of another probation condition
A probation violation should be addressed promptly.
If an Oakland County court has issued a warrant, determine which court issued it and why.
Ignoring a warrant generally does not make it disappear.
Oakland County criminal cases are handled by different courts depending on where the alleged offense occurred.
Rather than trying to treat every Oakland County court as identical, defendants should determine the specific court handling their case and understand its procedures.
Fraiberg & Pernie maintains a dedicated Oakland County Criminal Court Guide covering the District Courts serving communities throughout the county.
That includes information concerning courts such as:
48th District Court
52-1 District Court
52-2 District Court
52-3 District Court
52-4 District Court
47th District Court
44th District Court
46th District Court
43rd District Courts
Other Oakland County courts
Felony cases that are bound over from District Court generally proceed to the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.
Circuit Court felony proceedings can include:
Arraignment on the information
Pretrial conferences
Evidentiary motions
Plea proceedings
Jury trials
Sentencing
A felony charge can carry consequences extending far beyond the courtroom, which makes early evidence review and case preparation particularly important.
Related resource: Oakland County Felony Defense Guide
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients throughout Oakland County, including people charged with offenses arising in communities such as:
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Berkley, Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Novi, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Ferndale, Clarkston and surrounding Oakland County communities.
Individual city and court pages provide more specific information about the jurisdiction handling a particular case.
Potentially.
Criminal allegations and convictions can have consequences outside the criminal courtroom.
Depending on the person’s occupation and circumstances, issues may involve:
Employment
Professional licensing
Commercial driving
Security clearances
Education
Housing
Firearm rights
Immigration consequences
Licensed professionals may face separate rules from their licensing authorities.
These potential collateral consequences should be considered when evaluating a criminal case and possible resolution.
If you are searching for a criminal defense attorney in Oakland County, look beyond slogans such as “best criminal defense lawyer.”
Consider objective factors.
How much of the attorney’s practice involves criminal defense?
Has the attorney handled cases in the court where your case is pending?
Prior professional experience can provide additional perspective when evaluating how a criminal case was investigated or prosecuted.
How does the attorney approach:
Police reports
Body-camera video
Witnesses
Searches
Scientific evidence
Constitutional issues?
Even a case that ultimately resolves without trial can benefit from trial-ready preparation.
You should understand:
Who is handling your case
What happens next
What evidence exists
What decisions you may need to make
Consider legitimate client reviews, professional information and other independent sources rather than relying solely on claims appearing on an attorney’s own website.
No attorney, review, rating or award can guarantee the outcome of a criminal case.
Matthew Fraiberg is the managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie and has practiced law in Michigan for more than 28 years.
His background includes:
Former City Prosecutor
Former Judicial Clerk in Oakland County
More than 28 years of Michigan legal experience
Criminal-defense and OWI representation throughout Oakland County
His former prosecutorial experience provides perspective on how criminal allegations may be evaluated, charged, negotiated and litigated.
Read Matthew A. Fraiberg’s attorney profile.
Eric L. Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense attorney and co-founder of Fraiberg & Pernie.
Before becoming an attorney, Pernie served as a police officer for more than 10 years.
His law-enforcement experience provides additional perspective when reviewing police investigations, traffic stops, officer observations, reports, arrests, searches and evidence collection.
Read Eric L. Pernie’s attorney profile.
Consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney before answering questions concerning suspected criminal activity. Statements can become evidence.
That depends primarily on where the alleged offense occurred and whether the case is a misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanors are generally handled in District Court, while felony cases begin in District Court and may proceed to Oakland County Circuit Court.
Not necessarily. Potential consequences depend on the specific charge, circumstances, prior record and final resolution.
Possibly. Your ability to travel depends on your bond conditions and other court orders.
A missed court appearance can result in a bench warrant and other consequences. Address a missed hearing promptly.
The court may modify or revoke bond or impose additional conditions depending on the circumstances.
Sometimes. Whether dismissal is possible depends on the evidence, applicable law and circumstances of the case.
Misdemeanors are generally handled in District Court. Felony cases generally begin in District Court and, if bound over, continue in Oakland County Circuit Court.
There is no universal timeline. The length of a case can depend on discovery, motions, negotiations, expert review, court scheduling and whether a trial is necessary.
Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand the charge, bond issues, court process and immediate steps that may be appropriate.
This Oakland County Criminal Defense Guide was written and reviewed by the attorneys of Fraiberg & Pernie, a Michigan criminal defense law firm representing clients throughout Oakland County and Southeast Michigan.
Managing Partner | Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney | Former Prosecutor
Matthew Fraiberg has practiced law in Michigan for more than 28 years. He is a former City Prosecutor and former Judicial Clerk in Oakland County.
Partner | Former Police Officer
Eric L. Pernie is a criminal defense attorney and former police officer with more than 10 years of law-enforcement experience.
Written by: Matthew Fraiberg
Legally reviewed by: Eric L. Pernie
Law firm: Fraiberg & Pernie
Jurisdiction: Oakland County, Michigan
Practice area: Criminal Defense
Last legally reviewed: August 2026
If you have been arrested, charged with a crime, served with a warrant, accused of violating probation, or believe you are under criminal investigation in Oakland County, understanding your options early can be important.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients facing:
OWI and DUI
Felonies
Misdemeanors
Domestic violence
Assault
Drug crimes
Theft and fraud
Probation violations
Warrants
Other criminal allegations
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 to request a confidential consultation.
An arrest is not a conviction. Every criminal case is different, and prior results, experience, ratings and reviews do not guarantee a particular outcome.
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
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