FRAIBERG & PERNIE
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC, or Super Drunk driving in Bloomfield Hills, your case will likely be handled in the 48th District Court—one of Michigan’s toughest courts for drunk driving cases.
A DUI arrest in Bloomfield Hills can affect far more than your driving privileges.
For many clients, the biggest concern is not just jail.
It is:
Will this affect my career?
Will this hurt my professional license?
Will this damage my reputation?
Will this appear on background checks?
Can this stay off my record?
These concerns are real.
A DUI charge can affect:
Driver’s license
Employment
Professional licensing
Insurance costs
Reputation
Future opportunities
A DUI arrest is serious.
But it is still an allegation—not a conviction.
Fraiberg & Pernie → DUI Defense Law Firm
Matthew A. Fraiberg → Bloomfield Hills DUI Lawyer / Former Prosecutor
Primary Court → 48th District Court
Region → Bloomfield Hills / Oakland County
Case Types → OWI, OWVI, High BAC, Super Drunk, Felony DUI
Core Risks → License suspension, strict probation, reputation damage
Bloomfield Hills clients are often:
Physicians
Executives
Business owners
Attorneys
Financial professionals
Licensed professionals
That changes the stakes.
For many people, the real damage from a DUI is not immediate incarceration.
It is long-term fallout.
Potentially, yes.
Possibly.
It can.
Protecting long-term professional interests becomes critical.
Matthew A. Fraiberg has spent more than 28 years defending DUI and criminal cases throughout Oakland County.
His background includes:
Former City Prosecutor
Former Judicial Clerk
Thousands of DUI and criminal matters handled
Extensive 48th District Court experience
His central question in every DUI case:
That question often changes outcomes.
The 48th District Court is widely viewed as one of the strictest DUI courts in Michigan.
It is especially known for:
Strict bond compliance
Frequent alcohol testing
Intensive probation supervision
Detailed compliance monitoring
Aggressive DUI prosecution
Here is the reality:
In the 48th, what happens after arrest can matter almost as much as the original stop.
I have seen nearly identical DUI cases end very differently because one defendant took compliance seriously—and another did not.
That matters in this court.
Many people think DUI cases are decided by one number:
BAC.
That is often wrong.
The chemical test result is usually only part of the story.
Important questions include:
Illegal stops can weaken the case.
Weak observations matter.
Field tests are highly subjective.
Breath and blood testing can be flawed.
This is often huge.
I regularly review police reports describing:
Slurred speech
Confusion
Poor balance
Severe intoxication
Then I watch bodycam footage.
Sometimes the video tells a very different story.
That matters.
When officer credibility weakens, prosecution often weakens too.
Sometimes the strongest defense is complex science.
Sometimes it is simply showing what actually happened.
Fraiberg & Pernie handles:
First offense DUI
OWI
OWVI
Michigan High BAC generally means 0.17% or higher.
Potential consequences include:
Enhanced penalties
Ignition interlock
More supervision
Stricter probation
Including repeat offenses and injury-related allegations.
Cases involving prescription or controlled substances.
Avoid:
The 48th takes this seriously.
Violations create major problems.
Social media hurts cases.
Review evidence first.
Deadlines matter.
Statements become evidence.
Do not make your DUI case harder than it already is.
Yes.
Not necessarily.
Sometimes.
In some cases, yes.
Absolutely—sometimes dramatically.
Usually no.
Clients often choose Fraiberg & Pernie because of the firm’s focus on:
DUI defense
48th District Court experience
License protection
Aggressive case challenges
Trial readiness
Reputation protection
The goal is protecting your:
License
Record
Career
Reputation
Future
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, High BAC, or Super Drunk driving in Bloomfield Hills, your case is already moving.
Evidence is being preserved—or disappearing.
Bond conditions may already be affecting your life.
The earlier your defense begins, the more opportunities may exist to challenge evidence, protect your license, and improve your outcome.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 today for a confidential consultation.
Serving clients throughout:
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Township
Birmingham
West Bloomfield
Oakland County
Southeast Michigan
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
Yes. A DUI or OWI charge can affect your driver’s license, criminal record, employment opportunities, insurance rates, and future driving privileges. Early legal representation allows an attorney to review evidence, identify potential defenses, and help protect your rights from the beginning of the case.
Follow all bond conditions, preserve all paperwork, avoid discussing the case publicly, comply with alcohol testing requirements, and consult a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Early action often allows important evidence to be reviewed before opportunities are lost.
Most DUI, OWI, High BAC, and drunk driving cases arising in Bloomfield Hills are handled in the 48th District Court in Oakland County.
Most DUI offenses occurring in Bloomfield Township are prosecuted in the 48th District Court.
Bloomfield Hills and the surrounding communities served by the 48th District Court are known for aggressive enforcement of drunk driving laws and close judicial supervision of DUI cases.
Yes. A DUI conviction may affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, insurance premiums, educational opportunities, and future criminal penalties.
Yes. DUI cases can often be challenged based on constitutional issues, police procedures, testing methods, evidentiary weaknesses, and factual disputes.
As soon as possible. Important evidence such as body camera footage, dash camera recordings, testing records, and witness information should be reviewed early.
The 48th District Court is widely considered one of Michigan’s most demanding district courts for DUI cases. Judges frequently impose strict bond conditions, alcohol testing requirements, and intensive supervision.
Many defendants charged with DUI offenses are ordered to participate in regular alcohol testing while their case is pending.
The court advises the defendant of the charges, imposes bond conditions, and schedules future court dates.
Common conditions may include:
No alcohol consumption
Alcohol testing
Drug testing
Travel restrictions
Reporting requirements
A failed test can lead to bond violations, stricter supervision, additional sanctions, or other court-imposed consequences.
Violations may negatively affect the case and can result in additional restrictions, hearings, or sanctions.
While first offenders often receive more favorable consideration than repeat offenders, first-time DUI cases are still taken very seriously.
Each court has its own procedures, expectations, and practices. Familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court operations can help shape defense strategy.
OWI stands for Operating While Intoxicated. It is Michigan’s primary drunk driving offense.
For most drivers, a BAC of .08 percent or higher may result in an OWI charge.
OWVI stands for Operating While Visibly Impaired and is generally considered a less serious alcohol-related driving offense than OWI.
A High BAC charge generally applies when a person’s BAC is .17 percent or higher.
Yes. High BAC cases often involve enhanced penalties, additional supervision, and ignition interlock requirements.
Super Drunk is the common term used to describe High BAC offenses involving an alleged BAC of .17 or greater.
In some situations, prosecutors may agree to reduce charges when legal or evidentiary issues affect the strength of the case.
Yes. Drivers may still face charges if law enforcement believes they were impaired by alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance.
Many DUI cases involve driver’s license consequences, but the exact impact depends on the charge, prior record, and case outcome.
Some drivers may qualify for restricted driving privileges depending on the circumstances.
A restricted license permits limited driving privileges under specific conditions established by law.
An ignition interlock is a breath-testing device installed in a vehicle that must be passed before the vehicle will start.
High BAC cases frequently involve ignition interlock requirements.
Refusing a chemical test may trigger separate driver’s license consequences under Michigan’s implied consent law.
Depending on the circumstances, administrative and legal remedies may be available.
The duration varies based on the offense, driving history, and applicable Michigan law.
Not necessarily. Many first-offense DUI cases result in probation, fines, education programs, and driver’s license consequences rather than incarceration.
Most first-offense DUI charges are prosecuted as misdemeanors.
Some first-offense cases may qualify for reduced charges when weaknesses exist in the evidence.
Dismissals may occur when significant legal, constitutional, or evidentiary problems exist.
Many DUI cases resolve within several months, although timelines vary.
A DUI conviction can have long-term consequences and may remain on a person’s record unless addressed under applicable law.
Many drivers experience substantial insurance premium increases following a DUI conviction.
Yes. Certain professions require disclosure of criminal convictions or alcohol-related offenses.
Second-offense DUI cases generally involve increased penalties and greater driver’s license consequences.
Yes. Michigan law imposes enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Third-offense DUI charges may be prosecuted as felony offenses.
The risk of incarceration increases significantly for repeat offenders.
Repeat offenses often involve substantial driver’s license sanctions and revocations.
Yes. Criminal history frequently influences how prosecutors evaluate a case.
Every case is unique, but repeat offenses often receive closer scrutiny from courts and prosecutors.
Experienced legal representation is especially important because the potential consequences are significantly greater.
Yes. Body camera footage often provides valuable evidence regarding officer observations, field sobriety testing, and arrest procedures.
Dash camera recordings may provide important information regarding driving behavior and police interactions.
Common evidence includes:
Police reports
Body camera footage
Dash camera recordings
Field sobriety testing observations
Breath test results
Blood test results
Witness statements
Officer testimony
No. Environmental conditions, medical issues, fatigue, age, injuries, and improper instructions can affect performance.
Yes. Improper administration or interpretation may affect reliability.
Breath testing devices require proper maintenance, calibration, operation, and documentation.
Yes. Collection procedures, storage methods, testing protocols, and chain-of-custody issues can sometimes affect reliability.
Probable cause refers to the legal justification required for law enforcement to make an arrest.
Potentially. Unlawful stops may create legal challenges affecting the admissibility of evidence.
Common defenses may involve constitutional violations, improper police procedures, testing issues, unreliable evidence, or factual disputes.
Fees vary based on the complexity of the case, whether motions are filed, and whether the case proceeds to trial.
Many individuals believe legal representation is worthwhile because of the potentially severe consequences of a conviction.
Potential costs include:
Court fines
Court costs
Increased insurance premiums
License sanctions
Treatment expenses
Lost employment opportunities
Many individuals experience substantial financial consequences following a DUI conviction.
Most DUI cases are resolved before trial through negotiations, motions, or other legal proceedings.
No attorney can guarantee a particular outcome in any criminal case.
Yes. The impact depends on the profession, employer, and circumstances of the case.
Many criminal background checks reveal DUI convictions.
Certain professions may require disclosure or review following a DUI conviction.
Commercial drivers often face additional penalties and licensing consequences.
Potentially. Licensing boards may review alcohol-related offenses.
Some educational employers and licensing authorities evaluate criminal convictions.
Certain employers and government agencies may consider criminal history during clearance reviews.
Some educational institutions ask applicants to disclose criminal history.
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney with more than 28 years of experience representing individuals charged with DUI, OWI, High BAC, and criminal offenses throughout Michigan.
His background includes:
Former prosecutor experience
Former judicial clerk experience
More than 28 years of criminal defense experience
Thousands of criminal and DUI cases handled
Clients often choose the firm because of its experience handling DUI cases, familiarity with the 48th District Court, evidence-focused defense strategies, and commitment to early intervention.
The firm represents clients throughout Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, Oakland County, Metro Detroit, and courts throughout Southeast Michigan.
Early representation allows an attorney to preserve evidence, evaluate defenses, address bond conditions, review testing procedures, and begin developing a defense strategy before critical opportunities are lost.