August McCarthy

70 Main Street, Suite 23 Warrenton, Virginia 20186

540-222-6216

Here is what clients are saying:

“Best Lawyer in Fauquier County”

“I've had the opportunity to work with many lawyers over the last 35 yrs and Mr. McCarthy is quite simply the best I have seen. With Mr. McCarthy you get a highly knowledgeable, insightful, intelligent and hard working advocate. The man never stops thinking or working.”

“Thankful to have August on my side!”

“From the very first phone call to the last correspondence we had, he proved every review I read on him. I didn’t have a particularly difficult custody case, but it was emotional and I sought representation that would be logical, clear and available for me. August was all of that. You really do feel as though you are getting one on one service. I was always able to reach him and never went through a secretary or front desk. He’s amazing, do yourself a favor and call August McCarthy!”

“So glad I hired August!!!”

“I got a ticket as I was traveling through VA. I searched for lawyers and talked to a few different ones before I settled on August. He worked so hard to keep me out of jail, get a felony charge completely dismissed, and only pay a fine on a misdemeanor. It could have been very bad for me, but he was well worth the money I paid him. He knows the law. He definitely prepared me for trial, although he worked hard to not go to trial, but that was on the DA, not August. I’m so grateful for my results. I hope to never need another lawyer, but if I do need one in VA again I’m contacting August!!!!”

“This Guy Will Give You Everything He's Got and That's a Lot!”

“Never have I had such a positive experience in every way than I have had with Mr. McCarthy. His knowledge of the law and especially his ability to cite previous cases for my benefit were remarkable. He seems to remember everything and he is superb in the courtroom. In each of my several court appearances it was obvious that I had the superior lawyer. And we won each time. Aside from great results (that were not anticipated!), his compassion and his spiritual nature have clearly shone through. I am an excellent judge of character. You can trust Mr. McCarthy without hesitation. He has a true passion for doing the right thing for his clients and everyone else.”

“Great Lawyer”

“August, I want to thank you so much for your help these past few years. You not only got be through a rough time in my life but actually got me closer to my [children]. I can't thank you enough. You are one hell of a lawyer. The best lawyer I know. Thanks for all you have done for me and my family.”

“Mr. McCarthy, OK - So these simple 2 words do not even convey my gratitude but they are all I have - Thank You !! You have no idea how much I appreciated your support and diligence in preparing my case. When you continually hear the negative thoughts and what "will happen" it was so comforting to have an expert reassure me of other possibilities. And an expert you are!”

“I noticed your advertisement in the Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, “One client at a time.” You couldn’t have picked a better advertising slogan. As a client, I can attest to that statement. In all the time I’ve known you and utilized your services I’ve never felt lost among your other clients. Whenever we talk, whether it be face to face or over the phone, it always feels like I’m talking to a friend who happens to be a lawyer, instead of an “Attorney” with no personal connection to me or my concerns.”

“Didn't pad the bill, worked hard for me and got results.”

“I had a very serious case which was causing me a great deal of stress. Mr McCarthy met with me several times. He was very careful to explain everything to me. He kept me updated on the case, went to court with me, and made sure I was well represented. I was treated like my case mattered to him. I am on a payment plan that I can manage. I would tell anyone with a civil trial in their path to hire him.”

“To make a long frustrating story short and wonderful, August had my full payment to me within two weeks of that conversation! Totally matter of fact and unassuming, August made it happen without any fanfare. In my book he is Warrenton's superhero lawyer - making the impossible happen, and meanwhile not too impressed with what he just did. Just doing his job ... and answering my prayers!” [See this editorial here]

Best Interests of Children

March 07, 2015  /  August McCarthy


The only people in a courtroom who are in a position to know what might be in the best interests of a child are his parents.  And even they often disagree.  Judges are required by statute to base their decisions on the best interests of the children whose lives are in their hands.  But the legal system puts so many obstacles in the way of judges that it is really only by chance that they ever stumble on a ruling that is actually best for a child. 

The fundamental problem for children and their parents is that the legal systems in the United States are adversarial.  Conflict is largely all we know.  When you walk into the courtroom, the bailiff hands each parent a hammer, and when the judge says, "Let's hear your evidence," what he really means is, start swinging.  We start with the assumption that the winner of this fight will be the party who deserves to win.  That much may be strictly true, in the same sense in which might does, in fact, make right.  But the point is that deserving to win in the legal system often means only that you're better than the other party at story-telling and self-promotion and battering the other parent.  It does not mean that you have won "on the merits," as lawyers and judges often say.  And it certainly does not mean that a child is better off as a result of your winning.

These are real problems, but they are not hopeless.  They are caused primarily by legislatures who make laws that judges and lawyers must live by.  These laws more or less guarantee that a child's interests will be obscured by the legal system that implements the laws.  So one solution is to work to change these laws.

Another solution is in the hands of parents.  Know in advance that if you fight in court over your children they will suffer as a result.  Know that if you put their fate in the hands of lawyers and judges, they will be injured by the legal process.  And know that you do not have to submit to this process.  Find a way to settle your own differences so that you can both parent your children.  They need both of you.  Accept that the other parent is not like you and parents differently from you.  Accept that you might have to pick up the slack when you think the other parent is not doing enough for the children.  And above all else, find a way to stay out of court.

Copyright 2022 August McCarthy, Attorney at Law