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USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:21 am
by Anonymous User
Can anyone provide some info about the USAO background check? I have a public intoxication arrest that I'm not sure will disqualify me from working as a 1L this summer. Also, is there a drug test? I haven't smoked weed in years, but I am constantly around people that do and don't know if that would come up in any possible drug tests. Thanks!

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:03 am
by Anonymous User
bumpity bump bump. anyone? sorry, i just have an interview coming up and am wondering if I'm screwed or not

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:07 am
by UnicornHunter
Anonymous User wrote:bumpity bump bump. anyone? sorry, i just have an interview coming up and am wondering if I'm screwed or not
They won't piss test you at the interview. But if you want to work with a federal prosecutor, probably a good idea to ask your friends to stop smoking around you. As for the public intoxication, just disclose it. If that's all it is it won't keep you out.

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:18 am
by Anonymous User
I worked at a USAO in a secondary market. There was a piss test. A couple months after I got the job (and the clearance process began), I got a call from the FBI stating that I needed to go take a test at a local clinic (they told me where to go) within 48 hours.

Being around people won't show up on a drug test unless you're in a confined space for several hours. However, better safe than sorry. Try to avoid that if you can.

Worth noting that I also had to provide a longer drug history than the 1-year that's common at some major USAOs. I had smoked weed years prior on a semi-regular basis. My clearance took longer than usual, but I got it eventually.

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:50 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I worked at a USAO in a secondary market. There was a piss test. A couple months after I got the job (and the clearance process began), I got a call from the FBI stating that I needed to go take a test at a local clinic (they told me where to go) within 48 hours.

Being around people won't show up on a drug test unless you're in a confined space for several hours. However, better safe than sorry. Try to avoid that if you can.

Worth noting that I also had to provide a longer drug history than the 1-year that's common at some major USAOs. I had smoked weed years prior on a semi-regular basis. My clearance took longer than usual, but I got it eventually.
That must have been for an actual AUSA position. For summer interns, there's no piss test, but they may ask for your drug history for the last 7 years. Minor drug use will probably not disqualify you as long as it was not within the last year and was sporadic.

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:12 am
by Anonymous User
Thanks for the responses. Will a public intoxication arrest bar me from clearance? It happened like 6 months ago...

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:32 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the responses. Will a public intoxication arrest bar me from clearance? It happened like 6 months ago...
You may have to write a detailed explanation for it. I had an underage drinking ticket from years ago and had to do same. I did eventually get cleared, but it took longer than normal. This being more recent, yours may take longer and no one can say for sure, but I would not think a PI would be something to hinder you from clearance.

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:22 pm
by Anonymous User
okay thanks, I'm being a bit neurotic about it all. and i hate how USAO makes someone decide relatively quickly (before my school's spring OCI) so it's kind of an all or nothing commitment

Re: USAO Background Check Questions

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:29 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I worked at a USAO in a secondary market. There was a piss test. A couple months after I got the job (and the clearance process began), I got a call from the FBI stating that I needed to go take a test at a local clinic (they told me where to go) within 48 hours.

Being around people won't show up on a drug test unless you're in a confined space for several hours. However, better safe than sorry. Try to avoid that if you can.

Worth noting that I also had to provide a longer drug history than the 1-year that's common at some major USAOs. I had smoked weed years prior on a semi-regular basis. My clearance took longer than usual, but I got it eventually.
That must have been for an actual AUSA position. For summer interns, there's no piss test, but they may ask for your drug history for the last 7 years. Minor drug use will probably not disqualify you as long as it was not within the last year and was sporadic.
Quoted user. This was for a 1L position.