Criminal Defense

At Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein, we believe that every client deserves aggressive criminal defense that is tailored to your needs.

FG+G started as a criminal defense practice over forty years ago. Today, criminal defense remains a core pillar of our practice and our dedication to fighting unjust prosecutions is central to the firm’s mission. Terry Gilbert and Gordon Friedman built their firm on exceptional and aggressive criminal defense. The addition of Marcus Sidoti, with his experience and reputation for winning, keeps FG+G one of the most experienced and sought-after defense firms in Ohio.

 We relentlessly defend people in the criminal courts, from misdemeanors to felonies in state and federal court, including:

We are known for winning contentious and challenging criminal cases. With more than 100 jury cases tried to verdict, our team has extensive courtroom and trial experience. We fight aggressively for good results for our clients and to help them return to their normal lives. 

We practice and stand by the basic tenet of our legal system: that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We know and understand that abuse of power can and does happen—whether by police, prosecutors, or other government misconduct—in relation to criminal proceedings. 

We support our clients while challenging the larger power structures of the criminal legal system. Our job does not stop at the courtroom doors—our approach is personal, and everyone we represent is assured the attention and dedication they and their families deserve. 

We have achieved many successful outcomes for our clients. For example:

Obtained a not guilty verdict for a former Browns quarterback charged with Attempted Murder. The former quarterback-turned-dentist was charged with the attempted murder of a dentist to whom he sold his practice. The prosecution claimed that a knife and the alleged perpetrator’s jacket were found in a dumpster near the crime scene. Terry Gilbert and Gordon Friedman tried the case, and the jury acquitted their client when they had their client put on the jacket during trial—and it did not fit.

Obtained a not guilty verdict for a man charged with Murder for the “honor killing” of his cousin. Terry Gilbert tried the case, and his client was acquitted when he showed that a glove found inside the victim’s vehicle was analyzed and showed that gun powder residue from the murder was present, but DNA on the glove did not match the client.

Represented a young man who, along with other protestors associated with Occupy Wall Street, was charged under federal terrorism laws with conspiracy to bomb a local bridge. The defendants were lured into a conspiracy by a paid government informant who acted as a father figure to the young men, and then provided access to fake C-4 plastic explosives, and directed them to bomb the bridge. The Government sought over 20 years of imprisonment, but through aggressive arguments at sentencing, Terry Gilbert was able to get his client a sentence of only 8 years.

In United States v. Wheeler, the defendant was charged in a federal drug conspiracy that, if found guilty, could have yielded a life sentence. The case was dismissed against the defendant after two days of trial.

In State v. Welch, the defendant was charged with aggravated murder and his co-defendant accepted a plea in excess of 20 years. Through the zealous cross examination of a DNA expert for the state and the employment of a transfer DNA expert for the defense, the Court found the defendant not guilty of all charges.

In 2017, representing the interest of the estate of a decedent shot by a police officer, Marcus Sidoti employed experts from throughout the country for the fatal shooting of this unarmed man and obtained a confidential seven figure settlement for the decedent’s family and children. 

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