NYC DA Background Check Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello,

Have an offer at one of 5 NYC DA's offices. Could someone please explain the background check processs for those offices? (please don't speculate if you don't have concrete knowledge).

Is it like USAO?

[Anonymous User]

No -- USAO is security clearances routed through OPM and is a different beast.

The DAs fingerprint you and run you through databases to check if you have a criminal past. USAOs are security clearances and need more detailed info. DA hiring and vetting is really at the discretion of the DA's office with the exception of the NYS residency requirement which is a matter of state law.

[GauchoPI]

So this is a super specific question to NYC DAs--I know from a friend that they ask about prior drug use. Is that disqualifying? If so, are there nuances (types, frequency, years since last use)?

[uygiugiyugyugk]

Hello,

Have an offer at one of 5 NYC DA's offices. Could someone please explain the background check processs for those offices? (please don't speculate if you don't have concrete knowledge).

Is it like USAO?

the USAO is a security clearance focused on your loyalty to the united states and, essentially, your susceptibility to blackmail. your file will be adjudicated according to, well, the adjudicator's desk reference (https://www.dhra.mil/portals/52/documen ... sion_4.pdf)

They will also gauge "suitability" (e.g., for the DEA, even though certain drug use would not preclude a security clearance, the DEA could find you unsuitable for the unique responsibilities of being a drug agent. or being fired for lying to your boss -- not a big deal from a security clearance standpoint maybe, but the FBI would likely find you unsuitable).

Non-federal jobs are NOT security clearances. If they fingerprint you, that means they are checking you against a police database (this would be certain jobs, like teachers, DAs, etc). This will pull EVERY arrest (where you've been fingerprinted), even if it's not public record. They could also do a background investigation where they pull credit reports, check public records, etc etc. yes, this COULD include expunged records unless the arresting agency was ordered to destroy the record (not sure how it would work though, because in addition to the state system, they also send prints to the FBI for inclusion into NCIC).