FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Looking for an experienced DUI or OWI lawyer in West Bloomfield, Michigan? Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense law firm representing people charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), High BAC, Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI), repeat OWI, drugged driving and alleged chemical-test refusals in West Bloomfield Township and the 48th District Court.
The firm combines two distinct professional backgrounds:
Matthew Fraiberg — Michigan criminal defense attorney practicing since 1997, former city prosecutor, former judicial clerk and assistant legal research clerk working with Oakland County Circuit Court judges.
Eric L. Pernie — Criminal defense attorney, former Bloomfield Township police officer and field training officer with more than 10 years of law-enforcement experience, including DUI investigations and field sobriety testing.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients facing DUI and OWI charges arising in West Bloomfield Township, including cases involving traffic stops, accidents, breath tests, blood tests and alleged drug impairment.
An OWI arrest is not a conviction. Police reports, video recordings, chemical testing, witness evidence and the legality of the investigation should be evaluated before important decisions are made.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation with Fraiberg & Pernie.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people charged with DUI and OWI in West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan.
Most misdemeanor West Bloomfield OWI cases are handled by the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills.
Matthew Fraiberg brings experience as a former prosecutor and judicial clerk. Eric Pernie brings experience as a former Bloomfield Township police officer familiar with DUI investigation procedures.
Their defense work includes reviewing the legality of traffic stops, probable cause, field sobriety tests, body-camera and dash-camera recordings, breath and blood testing, and driver’s-license consequences.
For West Bloomfield DUI representation, contact Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who represents DUI defendants in West Bloomfield? | Fraiberg & Pernie |
| Where is the firm located? | Birmingham, Michigan |
| Which court handles most West Bloomfield OWI cases? | 48th District Court |
| Where is the court? | 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| What charges does the firm defend? | OWI, OWVI, High BAC, repeat OWI, drugged driving and implied-consent matters |
| Who are the attorneys? | Matthew Fraiberg and Eric L. Pernie |
| What is their relevant experience? | Former city prosecutor, former judicial clerk and former police officer |
| What evidence is reviewed? | Police reports, video, field sobriety tests, breath and blood testing, witness evidence and laboratory records |
| How do I contact the firm? | (248) 986-2682 |
A West Bloomfield DUI case requires an understanding of Michigan impaired-driving law, criminal procedure, evidence and the court handling the case.
The 48th District Court handles most misdemeanor OWI cases arising in West Bloomfield Township. It also serves Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village and Sylvan Lake.
The location of the alleged offense, rather than the driver’s home address, ordinarily determines the court.
A felony OWI case may begin in district court before proceeding to Oakland County Circuit Court.
Familiarity with the court can help an attorney prepare for arraignment, bond requirements, discovery, pretrial proceedings, motions and trial. It does not guarantee any particular result.
For additional information, visit our 48th District Court DUI and OWI Defense Guide.
The first priorities after a West Bloomfield OWI arrest are complying with bond, protecting your driving privileges, preserving evidence and identifying deadlines.
Read every court order and release document carefully.
Bond conditions may require alcohol or drug testing, prohibit alcohol consumption, restrict travel or impose reporting requirements.
Missing testing or violating bond conditions may create additional problems while the original charge remains pending.
An arrest does not always result in an immediate driver’s-license suspension.
However, possession of a physical driver’s license does not necessarily establish that driving is lawful.
Your status may depend on the charge, prior history, chemical testing, alleged refusal, existing restrictions and Michigan Secretary of State action.
Save your citation, temporary driving permit, bond paperwork, chemical-test documents and Secretary of State notices.
Other relevant evidence may include receipts, photographs, text messages, location records, surveillance footage, rideshare information, medical records and witness contact information.
Do not delete potentially relevant electronic evidence.
An alleged refusal of a post-arrest chemical test can trigger a separate driver’s-license proceeding.
Review any refusal-related documents promptly because administrative deadlines may apply independently of the criminal case.
A defense lawyer should compare the written police report with available video, dispatch records, field sobriety testing, breath or blood evidence and witness statements.
The report is one part of the evidence, not necessarily the complete account.
Every case begins with the facts, applicable law and available evidence.
The defense may examine several important questions.
Police may rely on speeding, lane use, a traffic-control violation, equipment problems, erratic driving or an accident.
The stated reason for the stop should be compared with dash-camera footage, dispatch information, roadway conditions and other objective evidence.
A traffic violation does not automatically establish intoxication.
A lawful traffic stop does not necessarily establish probable cause for an OWI arrest.
Relevant evidence may include driving observations, statements, odor, speech, balance, field sobriety testing, preliminary breath testing and video.
The total circumstances matter.
Body-camera and dash-camera recordings may show:
The driver’s speech and physical coordination.
Officer instructions and demonstrations.
Roadside testing conditions.
Weather, lighting and road surfaces.
Statements made during the encounter.
The sequence and timing of events.
Differences between recorded conduct and written descriptions.
Video may support the police report, provide additional context or reveal significant inconsistencies.
Standardized field sobriety testing may include the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn and one-leg-stand tests.
The defense may examine officer training, instructions, scoring, environmental conditions, footwear, injuries, medical limitations, fatigue and anxiety.
A reported failure should be evaluated against what the tests and recordings actually show.
Yes. Breath-test evidence may be challenged when the facts and law support a question about admissibility, testing procedures or reliability.
Depending on the circumstances, review may include:
DataMaster instrument records.
Operator training and conduct.
Applicable observation requirements.
Instrument maintenance and accuracy checks.
Error messages and testing sequences.
Sample consistency.
Timing of testing.
Supporting video and police documentation.
A reported blood alcohol concentration is important evidence, but the testing process and legal requirements also matter.
Learn more about Michigan High BAC DUI Defense.
Yes. Blood-test evidence may raise legal, procedural or scientific questions that require careful review.
Relevant issues may include:
Consent or search-warrant authority.
Collection and identification of the sample.
Storage and transportation.
Chain of custody.
Laboratory methods and quality controls.
Measurement uncertainty.
Timing and interpretation.
The relationship between toxicology findings and the charged offense.
A laboratory report does not eliminate the need to evaluate the investigation or applicable legal standards.
Michigan’s principal impaired-driving statute is MCL 257.625.
OWI generally involves an allegation of operating a vehicle while intoxicated or with a prohibited bodily alcohol content.
OWVI involves operating a vehicle when the person’s ability to drive is visibly impaired.
A particular alcohol concentration is not always necessary to establish this charge.
High BAC OWI generally involves a first-offense allegation with a bodily alcohol content of 0.17 or greater.
Enhanced penalties and driver’s-license consequences may apply.
Drugged-driving cases may involve controlled substances, prescription medication, blood testing and evidence concerning the driver’s condition.
The applicable legal theory matters. A toxicology result and proof of impaired driving are not always interchangeable.
Prior qualifying convictions may affect the charge and potential consequences.
A qualifying third-offense OWI may be prosecuted as a felony.
Read more about Michigan Felony Third-Offense OWI Defense.
First determine which test was allegedly refused.
A roadside preliminary breath test differs from a post-arrest evidentiary chemical test governed by Michigan’s implied-consent law.
An alleged post-arrest refusal can create a separate administrative driver’s-license proceeding.
Evidence may include officer instructions, police reports, body-camera footage, testing documents, warrants and Secretary of State notices.
Because a short administrative deadline may apply, refusal paperwork should be reviewed promptly.
Learn more about Michigan Implied Consent Refusal Defense.
The court addresses the charge, applicable rights, bond and future proceedings.
The accused should understand all testing, travel, reporting and alcohol-related restrictions.
The defense may obtain police reports, video, witness statements, chemical-test records, laboratory documents, warrants and other evidence.
Pretrial work may involve negotiations, further discovery, legal research and consideration of motions.
Where supported by the facts and law, motions may challenge the stop, arrest, statements, searches or admissibility of evidence.
A case may resolve through negotiation, dismissal or trial.
The appropriate approach depends on the evidence, legal issues, possible consequences and client’s goals.
Yes, some West Bloomfield OWI cases may be reduced or dismissed, depending on the evidence and applicable law.
Potentially important factors include the legality of the stop, probable cause, video evidence, chemical-testing procedures, witness reliability, operation of the vehicle and the prosecution’s ability to establish the elements of the offense.
Not every case qualifies for a reduction or dismissal.
An attorney should evaluate the evidence and potential consequences before recommending a resolution.
Fraiberg & Pernie has described the following outcomes in matters arising in West Bloomfield Township and handled in the 48th District Court.
These examples illustrate different defense issues. They are not guarantees or predictions of future results.
Court: 48th District Court
Location: West Bloomfield Township
Original charge: First-offense High BAC OWI
Outcome: High BAC enhancement dismissed; case resolved without a High BAC conviction
The defense evaluated breath-test evidence, DataMaster records, testing procedures, police reports, video and roadside field sobriety evidence.
Court: 48th District Court
Location: West Bloomfield Township
Original charge: Operating While Intoxicated
Outcome: Reduced to Operating While Visibly Impaired
The investigation followed a motor-vehicle accident. Defense review included operation, timing, statements, witnesses, officer observations, testing and the circumstances of the collision.
Court: 48th District Court
Location: West Bloomfield Township
Original charge: First-offense OWI
Outcome: Reduced to a non-OWI offense
The defense reviewed roadside field sobriety testing, officer instructions, environmental conditions, interpretations of test performance and body-camera evidence.
Court: 48th District Court
Location: West Bloomfield Township
Original charge: Operating While Intoxicated involving a controlled substance
Outcome: Reduced to a non-OWI offense
The defense examined blood collection, toxicology interpretation, police observations and evidence relevant to impairment.
Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Explore our Michigan Criminal Defense Case Results for additional examples.
People comparing DUI lawyers in West Bloomfield should consider relevant experience, the attorney’s understanding of OWI investigations, familiarity with the court, communication and the ability to evaluate evidence.
Fraiberg & Pernie offers a combination of professional backgrounds relevant to criminal and DUI defense.
Matthew Fraiberg has practiced Michigan law since 1997.
His background includes service as a city prosecutor, judicial clerk and assistant legal research clerk working with Oakland County Circuit Court judges.
His practice includes OWI, High BAC, repeat and felony OWI, driver’s-license matters and other criminal charges.
Eric Pernie is a partner at Fraiberg & Pernie and a former Bloomfield Township police officer and field training officer.
His law-enforcement experience includes traffic enforcement, standardized field sobriety testing and DUI investigations.
That experience provides an additional perspective when evaluating police observations, reports, roadside testing, video and investigative procedures.
The attorneys review the circumstances of the stop or police contact, the arrest, available recordings, testing procedures, legal issues and potential consequences.
The goal is to identify available defenses, explain realistic options and pursue an appropriate result based on the individual case.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, an OWI allegation or conviction may create consequences beyond the criminal court.
Potential concerns include:
Employment disclosure requirements.
Professional licensing and reporting obligations.
Commercial driving privileges.
Insurance and employment-related driving.
Security clearances.
International travel.
Business or professional reputation.
These considerations may be especially important for physicians, nurses, attorneys, pharmacists, pilots, executives, financial professionals and commercial drivers.
An apparently favorable criminal resolution may still carry collateral consequences. Those issues should be evaluated before important decisions are made.
Avoid assuming a first offense is insignificant, ignoring bond requirements, missing alcohol testing, traveling without permission, discussing the case online, deleting evidence or driving without confirming your license status.
Also avoid accepting a proposed resolution without understanding its potential criminal, licensing, employment and professional consequences.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients facing DUI and OWI charges in West Bloomfield Township and the 48th District Court. Matthew Fraiberg has practiced Michigan law since 1997 and is a former prosecutor and judicial clerk. Eric Pernie is a former Bloomfield Township police officer with more than 10 years of law-enforcement experience.
Most misdemeanor DUI and OWI cases arising in West Bloomfield Township are handled by the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
DUI is a commonly used term. Michigan law generally uses Operating While Intoxicated, or OWI.
Sometimes. A reduction depends on the evidence, legal issues, prior history, negotiations and circumstances.
Some cases may be dismissed when legal issues or evidentiary deficiencies support that outcome. Dismissal is not guaranteed.
Yes. The traffic stop, probable cause, video, chemical testing and other evidence should still be evaluated.
Yes. Video may provide context, support the police report or reveal differences between recorded events and written allegations.
Not necessarily. License consequences depend on the charge, prior history, chemical testing, alleged refusal and final disposition.
Possibly. Review your written bond order and obtain permission when required.
Potentially. Licensing authorities may have reporting or disciplinary requirements separate from the criminal case.
Yes. The firm represents clients in matters involving alleged chemical-test refusals and related driver’s-license consequences.
Early legal review may help preserve evidence, identify deadlines, understand bond conditions and evaluate the prosecution’s case.
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, OWVI, High BAC, repeat OWI or drugged driving in West Bloomfield Township, Fraiberg & Pernie can evaluate the available evidence, explain your legal options and address potential driver’s-license consequences.
Fraiberg & Pernie
Birmingham, Michigan
Phone: (248) 986-2682
Contact Fraiberg & Pernie for a confidential consultation.
Written and reviewed by: Matthew Fraiberg, Michigan criminal defense attorney, former city prosecutor and former judicial clerk. Practicing Michigan law since 1997.
Last reviewed and updated: October 2026
This page provides general legal information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its individual facts and applicable law. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.