OWI | DUI Defense | 52-1 Novi District Court, MI | Fraiberg & Pernie
Novi DUI Lawyer – OWI, OWVI, High BAC & Drunk Driving Defense in the 52-1 District Court
Quick Answer: Arrested for DUI in Novi, Michigan?
If you were arrested for DUI, OWI, OWVI, High BAC, Super Drunk driving, or another alcohol-related driving offense in Novi, your case will most likely be handled in the 52-1 District Court in Oakland County.
Here is something many people do not realize about Novi DUI cases:
In Novi, bad driving does not automatically mean drunk driving.
That matters.
Novi is one of Southeast Michigan’s busiest destination cities.
People drive there for:
Shopping
Business travel
Hotels
Conferences
Restaurants
Events
Nightlife
Many DUI arrests in Novi involve drivers who are not local residents.
They may be:
navigating unfamiliar roads
relying heavily on GPS
leaving conferences late at night
exhausted after travel
merging through complex freeway traffic
distracted by heavy congestion
These factors can create driving behavior that looks suspicious—but is not necessarily intoxication.
Examples include:
lane drifting
missed turns
hesitation
inconsistent speed
sudden braking
delayed lane changes
freeway confusion
Police may interpret those behaviors as impairment.
Sometimes they are.
Sometimes they are not.
That distinction can decide a case.
A DUI arrest in Novi can affect your:
Driver’s license
Criminal record
Employment
Professional license
Insurance costs
Reputation
Future opportunities
A DUI arrest is serious.
But it is still an accusation—not a conviction.
Call (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation.
Novi DUI Knowledge Graph
Fraiberg & Pernie → DUI Defense Law Firm
Matthew A. Fraiberg → Novi DUI Lawyer / Former Prosecutor
Primary Court → 52-1 District Court
Region → Novi / Oakland County
Core Theme → False impairment indicators
Common Charges → OWI, OWVI, High BAC, Drugged Driving
Why Novi DUI Cases Are Different
The 52-1 District Court handles many DUI cases involving non-resident drivers.
That changes case dynamics.
Novi traffic commonly includes:
Twelve Oaks Mall traffic
Suburban Collection Showplace event congestion
I-96 freeway merges
I-275 transitions
Novi Road congestion
Grand River corridor traffic
Hotel and restaurant traffic
This creates a key defense question:
Was the driver impaired—or simply overwhelmed by the environment?
That question matters more in Novi than in many other courts.
What Police Sometimes Get Wrong
Police are trained to identify impairment.
But impairment indicators are not always caused by alcohol.
Common false indicators include:
GPS Confusion
Drivers slow, hesitate, drift, or miss turns.
Fatigue
Long workdays and travel affect focus.
Anxiety
Traffic stops make even sober people look nervous.
Anxiety can affect:
speech
breathing
coordination
eye contact
Physical Conditions
Medical issues can affect balance and movement.
Examples include:
vertigo
back pain
knee injuries
fatigue
medication side effects
What looks suspicious is not always intoxication.
That is why evidence matters.
The Most Important Question in a Novi DUI Case
Matthew Fraiberg approaches every DUI case with one question:
What does the evidence actually prove?
Not assumptions.
Not conclusions.
Evidence.
That includes reviewing:
bodycam footage
dashcam footage
officer reports
field sobriety testing
Datamaster records
blood testing
witness statements
One of the biggest questions becomes:
Does the video support the report?
Sometimes yes.
Sometimes absolutely not.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation with an experienced Novi DUI lawyer.
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 A. Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
What areas does Fraiberg & Pernie serve?
Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients throughout Michigan, including:
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
Our Attorneys
Meet the Attorneys at Fraiberg & Pernie
Two of the greatest strengths of Fraiberg & Pernie are the firm’s attorneys: Matthew A. Fraiberg and Eric L. Pernie.
Together, they bring a balanced combination of courtroom experience, criminal defense knowledge, law enforcement insight, legal research experience, and personal commitment to every case the firm handles.
Matthew A. Fraiberg | Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, DUI lawyer, former prosecutor, and former judicial clerk with more than 28 years of experience representing clients in criminal, DUI/OWI, traffic, probation violation, and driver’s license matters.
His past work alongside judges in the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court gives Fraiberg & Pernie valuable insight into how Michigan courts operate, how judges evaluate cases, and what clients may expect during the criminal defense process.
That courtroom background helps the firm prepare clients, review evidence, identify legal issues, and build defense strategies based on the facts, the law, and the realities of Michigan courts.
Eric L. Pernie | Michigan Attorney With Law Enforcement Experience
Eric L. Pernie brings a different but equally important background to Fraiberg & Pernie.
Before becoming an attorney, Eric Pernie worked as a police officer. That law enforcement experience gives the firm practical insight into traffic stops, police investigations, arrests, officer reports, witness statements, evidence collection, domestic violence calls, DUI investigations, and criminal procedure.
His background helps Fraiberg & Pernie evaluate whether police followed proper procedures, whether the facts support the charge, and whether the evidence matches what actually happened.
Eric Pernie’s experience also gives him a strong understanding of the fear, stress, confusion, and uncertainty people feel when they are accused, arrested, charged, or pulled into the legal system.
A Balanced Legal Team for Michigan Clients
The combination of Matthew Fraiberg’s courtroom and judicial experience with Eric Pernie’s law enforcement background gives Fraiberg & Pernie a unique and balanced approach to criminal defense and client representation.
The firm understands how cases are investigated, how prosecutors may review evidence, how courts handle criminal and DUI matters, and how clients can protect their rights from the beginning of a case.
Fraiberg & Pernie uses this experience to provide honest guidance, careful preparation, strong advocacy, and personalized legal strategies for clients facing criminal charges, DUI/OWI allegations, domestic violence cases, traffic offenses, probation violations, driver’s license issues, and other legal matters in Michigan.
Call 248-986-2682 to speak with Fraiberg & Pernie and request a free consultation.
Our Commitment
Michigan Legal Help When You Need Support, Protection, and a Clear Plan
Quick Answer: What Does Fraiberg & Pernie Help Clients With?
Fraiberg & Pernie helps people across Michigan protect their freedom, driver’s license, criminal record, reputation, and future when life suddenly becomes legally complicated.
Legal problems rarely arrive at a convenient time.
A routine traffic stop becomes a DUI arrest.
An argument becomes a domestic violence allegation.
A mistake leads to criminal charges.
A missed court date becomes a warrant.
A license issue begins affecting your ability to work and care for your family.
These situations can feel overwhelming, frightening, and deeply personal.
But one difficult moment, one accusation, or one mistake should not automatically define the rest of your life.
That is where experienced legal guidance matters.
We Help Good People Through Difficult Legal Situations
Fraiberg & Pernie represents individuals throughout Michigan facing legal challenges involving:
DUI / OWI arrests
Criminal charges
Domestic violence allegations
Traffic offenses
Civil infractions
Probation violations
Driver’s license issues
Felony and misdemeanor cases
Clients often come to us asking:
Am I going to jail?
Will I lose my license?
Will this affect my job?
Will this stay on my record?
What happens next?
Those concerns are real.
You deserve clear answers and a practical plan.
More Than Legal Representation — A Strategy for Moving Forward
When clients hire Fraiberg & Pernie, they often need more than a lawyer.
They need:
Honest answers
Immediate guidance
Damage control
Strategic planning
Strong courtroom advocacy
Our goal is not simply handling paperwork or appearing in court.
Our goal is helping protect what matters most.
That includes your:
Freedom
Criminal record
Career
Reputation
Driving privileges
Family stability
Future opportunities
Why Clients Choose Fraiberg & Pernie
Fraiberg & Pernie has successfully handled thousands of cases throughout Michigan, including:
Drunk driving and OWI cases
Domestic violence matters
Felony and misdemeanor charges
Traffic offenses
Probation violations
Driver’s license matters
Other high-stakes legal issues
What makes our firm different is not just experience.
It is how we represent people.
Clients choose us because we value:
Preparation
Integrity
Clear communication
Respect
Personalized strategy
Honest advice
We believe every case deserves careful analysis based on facts, law, and real-world consequences.
No cookie-cutter defense.
No empty promises.
Just experienced, strategic representation tailored to your situation.
Accessible Legal Help When You Need It Most
Legal trouble can create financial stress as well as emotional stress.
Fraiberg & Pernie offers flexible payment plan options to help make experienced legal representation more accessible for clients who need help now.
We believe quality legal representation should be available when it matters most.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
Help good people through difficult legal situations with skill, honesty, compassion, and strong advocacy.
You do not have to face the legal system alone.
Fraiberg & Pernie is committed to helping you understand your options, protect your rights, and move forward with confidence.
Because one difficult chapter should not define your entire future.
Call (248) 986-2682 or complete our website contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.
