Quick Answer: What Happens When You Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
When you call a Michigan criminal defense lawyer, you do not need to understand the charge, know what to say or have every document in front of you. The first conversation is usually about listening to what happened, identifying the court and charge, explaining what may happen next, and determining whether any immediate deadlines, bond conditions or evidence issues require attention.
At Fraiberg & Pernie, you will not be judged, lectured or expected to speak like a lawyer. You can simply call and tell us what happened.
Call Fraiberg & Pernie at (248) 986-2682 for a confidential consultation about a Michigan DUI/OWI or criminal charge.
It Is Normal to Be Nervous About Calling a Lawyer
Some people are more nervous about calling a criminal defense attorney than they were about talking to the police.
We understand.
You may feel embarrassed about what happened. You may be worried that the lawyer will judge you. You may not completely understand the charge or even know which court is handling the case.
You may have already picked up your phone, typed the number and then decided to “wait until tomorrow.”
Here is what will not happen when you call Fraiberg & Pernie:
- We will not gasp dramatically.
- We will not yell, “You did what?”
- We will not expect you to know Michigan criminal law.
- We will not make you give a perfectly organized presentation.
- Dramatic courtroom music will not begin playing in the background.
After nearly three decades of criminal defense work, it is difficult to shock us. We have probably heard something stranger before lunch.
Our first job is simple: listen.
What Should You Say When You Call a Criminal Defense Attorney?
Start with the basics:
“I was arrested or charged, and I need to understand what happens next.”
From there, the attorney can ask the questions needed to understand the situation. Those questions may include:
- What were you charged with?
- Where did the incident happen?
- Were you arrested, ticketed or released?
- Which Michigan court is listed on your paperwork?
- Do you have an arraignment or hearing date?
- Are you subject to bond conditions, alcohol testing or travel restrictions?
- Did the police take your phone, vehicle or other property?
- Did you take or refuse a breath, blood or chemical test?
You do not need to know every answer. If you have paperwork, keep it nearby. If you do not, call anyway.
What Happens During the First Conversation?
The purpose of the first conversation is to replace confusion with a plan.
A criminal defense lawyer may help you identify:
- The exact charge — The everyday description of an offense may be different from its legal name.
- The court handling the case — Local court procedures can affect scheduling, bond, testing, probation and other practical issues.
- What happens next — This may include an arraignment, pretrial conference, probable-cause conference, preliminary examination or another hearing.
- Immediate deadlines — Certain matters, including some driver’s-license and implied-consent issues, may involve short deadlines.
- Evidence that should be preserved — Videos, photographs, messages, receipts, medical information and witness details may become important.
- Conditions you must follow — Ignoring bond or testing requirements can create additional problems.
- The next step in the defense — That may begin with obtaining police reports, videos, laboratory records or other evidence.
The goal is not to predict the entire case during one phone call. The goal is to determine what needs attention now and what information must be investigated.
Will the Lawyer Judge Me?
No. A criminal defense lawyer’s job is not to decide whether you are a good person.
Good people can be arrested. People make mistakes. Witnesses misunderstand events. Police reports may omit context. Chemical tests can require closer examination. Accusations may be exaggerated or unsupported. Sometimes the most important evidence has not yet been reviewed.
A criminal charge is an allegation—not a conviction.
The lawyer’s job is to examine the facts, protect your rights and help you make informed decisions.
Why Calling Early Can Matter
Waiting usually does not make the anxiety disappear. It may also make certain problems harder to address.
Early legal advice may help with:
- Preserving video or electronic evidence
- Identifying witnesses while memories are fresh
- Understanding court and bond conditions
- Preparing for an arraignment or upcoming hearing
- Addressing alcohol or drug testing requirements
- Protecting driver’s-license rights
- Avoiding statements or social-media posts that could complicate the case
- Beginning a review of police reports, body-camera footage and chemical-test evidence
Calling a lawyer does not commit you to a particular defense strategy. It allows you to learn what you are facing before making important decisions.
What If the Charge Is DUI or OWI?
A Michigan DUI or OWI case may involve more than the criminal charge. Depending on the circumstances, it can also involve driver’s-license consequences, chemical testing, bond conditions, alcohol monitoring, employment concerns and increased insurance costs.
An OWI defense review may examine:
- The reason for the traffic stop
- Body-camera and dash-camera footage
- The officer’s observations
- Field sobriety testing
- Preliminary breath testing
- DataMaster breath-test procedures
- Blood-draw and laboratory evidence
- Medical conditions or physical limitations
- Statements attributed to the driver
- Implied-consent and driver’s-license issues
The number written in a police report is evidence. It is not the entire case.
Learn more about Michigan DUI and OWI defense.
Why Call Fraiberg & Pernie?
Fraiberg & Pernie is a Michigan criminal defense and DUI/OWI law firm serving clients throughout Oakland County, Wayne County and Macomb County.
Matthew Fraiberg is a former city prosecutor, former judicial clerk and Michigan criminal defense attorney who has practiced law since 1997. His background provides insight into how criminal cases may be evaluated, negotiated and litigated.
Eric L. Pernie is a former Bloomfield Township police officer and Michigan criminal defense attorney. His law-enforcement experience provides firsthand knowledge of traffic stops, investigations, field sobriety testing, evidence collection, police reports and arrest procedures.
Together, the attorneys bring prosecution, judicial, law-enforcement and defense perspectives to the evaluation of Michigan criminal cases.
That sounds serious—and the work is serious. The phone call does not have to be.
You can call, explain what happened in your own words and ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my ticket or court paperwork before calling?
No. The paperwork is helpful, but you can still call if you do not have it available. Provide as much information as you know.
What if I do not know the exact criminal charge?
That is common. Tell the attorney what happened and describe any paperwork you received. The precise charge can be confirmed.
Should I wait until my first court date to hire a lawyer?
You are not required to wait. Speaking with an attorney before court may help you understand the process, prepare for the hearing and identify deadlines or evidence that need immediate attention.
Can I call about a case in Oakland, Wayne or Macomb County?
Yes. Fraiberg & Pernie represents clients in district and circuit courts throughout Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties and elsewhere in Michigan.
Will everything be solved during the first call?
Usually not. A reliable legal analysis may require police reports, videos, test results and other evidence. The first call helps identify the immediate issues and the next steps.
What if I am embarrassed about what happened?
Call anyway. Criminal defense lawyers regularly speak with people during stressful and embarrassing moments. The purpose of the conversation is to help—not judge.
You Do Not Need to Have All the Answers Before Calling
Being arrested or accused of a crime can make people feel as though they must immediately understand an unfamiliar legal system.
You do not.
You do not need to know the statute number. You do not need to understand every court procedure. You do not need to prepare a speech.
Call and tell us what happened.
Fraiberg & Pernie represents people facing DUI/OWI, High BAC, felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, assault, drug, theft, probation-violation and criminal-traffic matters throughout Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties.
Call [(248) 986-2682 or contact Fraiberg & Pernie for a confidential consultation.
Fraiberg & Pernie
1000 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 103
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
fpattorneys.com
This page provides general legal information and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its individual facts, evidence and court.
