As early as possible — ideally before you speak with police. Having a lawyer involved from the first contact lets us protect your rights, preserve evidence, and often influence a case before charges are even filed.
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Former Prosecutor Criminal Defense & OVI Attorneys
Fortress Law Group, LLC represents clients who need a comprehensive defense strategy for misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile crimes.
We defend good people accused of bad things
Cleveland Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Cleveland or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, the decisions you make in the first few days can shape the rest of your life. A skilled Cleveland criminal defense lawyer protects your rights from the very first police contact, scrutinizes the evidence the state intends to use against you, and builds a defense designed to keep your record, your freedom, and your future intact. At Fortress Law Group, LLC, founding attorney Matthew C. Bangerter, Esq. brings something most defense lawyers cannot: years of experience as a former Lake County Assistant Prosecutor, combined with a genuine scientific background that lets him take apart the forensic evidence — DNA, toxicology, and breath and blood testing — that so many cases turn on. We defend good people accused of bad things, and we do it with the preparation, precision, and courtroom experience serious charges demand.
Client Testimonials
Outstanding attorney and an even better advocate We are beyond grateful for the outstanding representation we received. From the very beginning, Mr. Bangerter and Shannon where professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to our case. They took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all of our questions, and made sure we felt informed and supported throughout what was an incredibly stressful time.…
- Outstanding Representation from Mr. Bangerter & Shannon
Attorney Matt Bangerter and his team have done an amazing job getting me through this long and stressful court case. Mr. Bangerter is a honest and trustworthy lawyer and I highly recommend him to anyone facing a difficult situation and looking for the right legal support! Thank you Fortress Law group!
- Arthur Fender
They did a great job. I’m happy with the results.
- Meatrice the Artist
Matthew Bangerter
Criminal Defense Attorney
As a former Assistant Prosecutor in Lake County Ohio, Cleveland criminal defense attorney Matthew C. Bangerter, ESQ. has experience with the strategies used by prosecutors to pursue their cases. As a member of the Ohio Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he takes his profession as a Cleveland criminal defense attorney seriously and ensures that he is up to date with the latest case law and trial strategies.
Contact Us Now (440) 340-1740
Practice Areas
DUI/OVI
Offense
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Cleveland
As a full-service criminal defense firm, Fortress Law Group represents clients across the full range of state and federal charges in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Medina, and Ashtabula counties, including:
- DUI / OVI defense — including CDL, multiple-offense, and underage OVI
- Drug crimes — possession and trafficking
- Sex crimes — including rape, sexual assault, and related charges
- Violent crimes — assault, manslaughter, and murder
- Felony defense and federal criminal defense
- Domestic violence and child endangerment
- Theft, fraud, and white collar crime — embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion
- Gun crimes, burglary, robbery, and RICO
- Juvenile crime, expungement, and criminal appeals
Each charge carries its own penalties, defenses, and procedural rules. Follow the links above to the specific practice area that matches your situation, or call for a free, confidential consultation and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
Why Choose Fortress Law Group, LLC
Our Blog Posts
Extensive Experience
Established in 2009, our firm has represented thousands of
clients in various kinds of criminal cases. Our criminal defense attorneys make sure each client is diligently represented and protected throughout the trial.
Professional & Reliable
We value the trust and confidence each client gives us. The criminal justice system is complex, but we are dedicated to guiding you throughout the process to ensure your rights are protected.
Comprehensive Criminal Defense
Our team of attorneys is knowledgeable and up to date with all the relevant case law and procedural rules in court, and will ensure all your bases are covered.
Flexible Consultation Times
Facing a criminal charge is a serious matter. You must communicate with a lawyer as soon as possible. That’s why our communication lines – online and via phone – are available for clients to reach out to us at any time.
Your Path Forward with Fortress Law Group
Being charged with a crime is frightening, and the legal system is built to feel confusing. You shouldn’t have to face it alone or guess at your next move. As a former prosecutor who now defends the accused, Matthew Bangerter knows exactly how these cases work — and he’s made the path forward simple.
Schedule your free consultation
Call us or reach out online and tell us what happened in a confidential, judgment-free conversation. We’ll explain your rights and your options in plain language.
We build your defense
We investigate the facts, scrutinize the evidence — including the forensic and scientific evidence other lawyers overlook — and build a strategy tailored to your specific charge.
Protect your future
We fight to keep your record clean, your freedom intact, and your life on track — whether that means a dismissal, a reduced charge, or a win at trial.
You don’t have to stay stuck in fear and uncertainty. Take the first step today — call (440) 340-1740 for your free consultation, and let’s protect what matters most.
Former Lake County prosecutor · Not-guilty verdicts in murder, assault, rape & OVI trials · Death-penalty qualified · Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2014–2017) · Avvo 10.0 “Superb”
Northeast Ohio
Criminal Defense Attorney
Criminal charges — felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, etc. — can be extremely stressful to you as well as your friends and family. The criminal court process will be extremely taxing, and its outcome could change the course of your life. It is highly important that you have a criminal defense attorney by your side who is not only well-versed and experienced in the law and procedure, but also understands forensic evidence.
Matthew Bangerter has handled hundreds of serious cases in Ohio and understands forensic evidence. This knowledge, along with key experience in law and procedure, helps him understand cases and present the best possible defense.
Call Us Today (440) 340-1740
An Experienced And Certified Northeast Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney
FortRess Law Firm
Know Your Rights in Ohio
If you are arrested or approached by police in Ohio, you have constitutional rights that protect you — but only if you use them. You have the right to remain silent: you are not obligated to answer questions beyond identifying yourself, and politely declining to discuss your case is not an admission of guilt. You have the right to an attorney, and you can invoke it at any point; once you do, questioning must stop. Remember that police are permitted to use certain deceptive tactics during questioning, which is exactly why speaking with a lawyer before you speak with investigators matters so much. Whether a charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, the safest first step is the same: say little, and call a criminal defense lawyer. Anything you say — including posts and messages on social media — can be used against you, so protect yourself by staying silent and getting counsel involved early.
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What to Expect When You Work With Us
Facing a criminal charge is stressful, and most people have never dealt with the court system before. Here is how we make the process clear from day one. First, we sit down with you for a free, confidential consultation to understand the charge and your goals. Next, we review the evidence in detail — including any forensic or scientific evidence — and identify the weaknesses in the state’s case. From there, we build a defense strategy tailored to your specific charge, whether that means negotiating a dismissal or reduction, or preparing to win at trial. Throughout, we keep you informed and reachable, so you are never left wondering what happens next. When you are ready, call (440) 340-1740 or schedule a consultation to get started.
Cleveland Criminal Defense Lawyer — Frequently Asked Questions
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Fortress Law Group, LLC
4124 Erie Street
Willoughby, OH 44094
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