Andrew Cornick | Fredericksburg Criminal Lawyer

• Treasurer, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
  2015 - Present
• Member, National College for DUI Defense,
  2014 - Present
• Board Member, University of Mary Washington Pre-Law/Mock Trial Advisory Board,
  2013 - Present
• Board of Directors, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
  2012 - Present
• Board of Directors, Rappahannock Area ASAP Policy Board,
  2012 - Present
• Chair, Virginia State Bar, Sixth District Disciplinary Committee,
  2012 - Present
• Officer of Elections, City of Fredericksburg Electoral Board,
  2012 - Present
• Secretary, Virginia State Bar, Sixth District Disciplinary Committee,
  2011 - 2012
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
  2009 - Present
• Member, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
  2009 - Present
• Board of Directors, University of Richmond School of Law Young Graduates Association,
  2008 - 2011
• Member, Fredericksburg Area Bar Association, Bylaws Committee,
  2007 - Present
• Member, Fredericksburg Area Bar Association,
  2006 - Present
• Member, Virginia State Bar,
  2004 - Present

In some cases, I am able to get involved quickly to stop bad things from happening. Recently I was able to demonstrate that a tractor trailer driver had been falsely accused of felony hit and run. He was suspended from work while the case was pending, but due to my action he was back at work within a few weeks instead of three to six months. In another case I was able to obtain store surveillance footage disproving a sexual assault allegation, thereby keeping a teenager from facing a charge of forcible sodomy.

I really believe in the golden rule. I believe the way I treat my clients steers more people to me.

Like any other relationship, the attorney-client relationship requires trust. You should take an active role in the initial consultation, but that includes active listening. What knowledge is the lawyer demonstrating? Anyone can throw around words and terms that only lawyers and judges use, but to be successful an attorney must be able to communicate with anyone. When a lawyer can educate you in addition to impressing you, he or she is worth the money.

You need to know the backgrounds and motivations of the people involved in your case, and you need to know the political climate in the county where you will go to trial. Going to court without that information is like jumping in a pool without checking the temperature first - you might be just fine, but you might truly regret it.

Face-to-face consultations are always better than phone consultations. You can read the attorney's body language and we can both be virtually assured of the confidentiality. That being said, in a phone consultation I can still provide some insight on the people and places associated with your charge, and we can begin to formulate a defense strategy. I can also describe the way we expect your case to proceed through the courts, potential outcomes, and I can answer any questions you have about logistics.

I need to know your name and the names of any co-defendants, as well as the names of any complaining witnesses. I need these so I can make sure my firm is free from conflicts of interest. I need to know the charges against you, the court to which you will be going, and when. We can then talk about the details of your case.

I answer my phone unless I am in court, at the jail, or speaking with another client. I can sometimes text while I'm in court and don't mind doing so. I believe I am better at keeping in touch with my clients than most attorneys are. Bailiffs and court reporters have referred me cases. The people who are in court all the time, day in and day out, see me and trust me enough to send their loved ones to me. I think that speaks volumes.

My specialty is helping to fix the worst day of your life. More times than I can count, a client has shaken my hand or hugged me after a case was done and said ""Andy, don't take this the wrong way, but I hope I never see you again."" I always remind them it's okay to drop in and say hello when they don't need me too, but it's a great feeling seeing someone's stress lifted after a case is over.

I enjoy traveling with my family, fishing, racquetball, and cooking.

I serve as an officer of elections for my city, and I am the city's representative to the local ASAP policy board. I raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's MS Walk every year. I also volunteer in the Virginia State Bar's disciplinary system.