Christian A. Straile | Gainesville Criminal Lawyer

Mr. Straile has been a lawyer since 2003 and has been working within the criminal justice system since 2001; he is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a member of the Florida Bar, and a past treasurer for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Young Lawyers Division.

Mr. Straile focuses his practice on trial law focusing in traffic criminal, family, business law and limited civil litigation or civil trial matters. Mr. Straile handles cases from civil traffic to trafficking narcotics and cases ranging from misdemeanors to life felonies. Mr. Straile handles all levels of criminal offenses and all issues related to criminal offenses from investigation to verdict and appeal. Family cases include divorce, custody, paternity, modification, domestic violence, child abduction, division of assets, parenting plans, and marital settlement agreements. Mr. Straile represents businesses from start up to litigation after sale. Many clients also have used Mr. Straile to provide general consulting regarding business decisions.

Mr. Straile earned an LL.M (advanced law degree) from the University of Florida in tax law, a J.D. from St. Thomas University and a B.S. from Lambuth University . Prior to entering the legal field Mr. Straile worked providing financial services and advice at Banker's Life & Casualty and Morgan Stanley.

Mr. Straile spent two years between the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami and the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office in Ft. Lauderdale . While in Law school Mr. Straile was active in trial competitions, and coached the St. Thomas Trial Team.

Mr. Straile's volunteer work includes the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Straile served as an organizer of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and a liaison between the program and the Internal Revenue Service. For the Boy Scouts Mr. Straile taught merit badges, served as quartermaster, and assistant scout master. Mr. Straile is an Eagle Scout.

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
Client was accused of battery on a LEO and resisting without violence. The incident started when my client caught his soon to be ex-wife cheating on him and began removing her belongings. Of course, the ex-wife called 911 and was not truthful and the officers responded to the scene believing my client was on drugs, armed and holding the children hostage. The matter climaxed with my client being held at gunpoint while standing inside the house.

The State's witnesses were the three (3) officers on scene and my client's ex-wife. The ex-wife thought that she was a very useful witness for the State, she wanted to leverage the criminal case in the divorce for custody and power. This seemed like a daunting task but we got to work.

Depositions were taken and I developed several conflicts in the evidence. The ex-wife was more than willing to talk, so I got her talking. I made a good decision to allow her anger (over getting caught) and emotions to continue to feed into her story telling. However, I made her pinpoint the aspects of her testimony that I knew were actually beneficial to my client. Thankfully, she admitted that she had no basis to believe my client was on drugs or actually armed although like most homes in Marion County, there were weapons in the house. She was forced to admit that she had no basis to believe that my client was on drugs when presented with employer drug screens.

The client rejected the State's offer and chose to proceed to trial. In trial, we were able to develop enough conflicts in the evidence and use the ex-wife's testimony to show that my client, who testified, presented what was the consistent and most reasonable view of the evidence. The jury returned a not guilty verdict.

How did you build a successful practice?
I put in the time necessary to be prepared

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
One who takes the time to listen and explain. This is usually not the cheapest person.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
I once, knowing a Judge's religious beliefs, tailored a motion hoping that he would draw a conclusion that the State was about as lost as Moses without actually referring to the Bible or specifically mentioning anything biblical. In the hearing, the judge actually said that the State is like "wandering in the desert" which is exactly what I was hoping he would think. Knowing your judge is very important and helpful but certainly not the only thing.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
Law applicable to the case in general, and some guideposts and possibly strategy

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
civil case other parties information (conflicts check) criminal case the accusation, witnesses

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
Some lawyers are racing to the bottom providing low end service with correspondingly low cheap fees. Not me.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When I can make a difference and help people

What are your other interests in addition to law?
Football, baseball and financial markets.

• Member - Florida Bar, Family Law Section
  Member - Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Division
  Member - Florida Bar, Criminal Law Section
  Member - Florida Bar

• 2017 10 Best - Florida client satisfaction by the American Institute of DUI Attorneys
  2017 Top 10% in the US of Criminal Defense by Lawyers of Distinction
  2016 Top 100 Criminal Defense by the National Trial Lawyers
  2016 Top 10 client satisfaction by the American Institute of DUI Attorneys Eagle Scout - 1992
  

• Criminal Defense July 2008:
  Under age person came to the office charged with DUI, possession of marijuana, and felony possession of a controlled substance. Law enforcement found over five 1.75 liter bottles of varying types of booze in the vehicle along with seven passengers all of whom where underage. According to law enforcement many of the occupants were intoxicated, the client was swerving, almost hitting property, had slurred speech, refused the roadside exercises and the breathalizer. This case turned on the evidence battle. Attorney Christian A. Straile was able to exclude evidence. All drug charges were dismissed prior to trial. Client found not guilty at trial.

• Practicing with Professionalism - Panel discussion moderator, 2010
  Starting your own Law Practice - Starting your law firm, 2009
  Aging out of the system - criminal and traffic law pertaining to young adults, 2009

Christian A. Straile has been a Premium Member since April 27, 2016.
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