What Happens If You Are Arrested and Have a Security Clearance?

As a federal employee, you are held to a higher standard of ethics and conduct, both in-office and at home. Run in’s with the law and other actions that would negatively impact your federal employment may also impact your security clearance status. Our top-rated, award-winning federal employment attorneys at The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC share what you should know about getting arrested as a federal employee with a security clearance.

Arrests and Security Clearance

During your arrest, you may begin to worry about your security clearance status. It may feel like getting arrested is the end of the world, however, with the help of a trusted criminal defense lawyer and a federal employment attorney, you can navigate the world post-arrest.

If you are arrested, first thing to do is remain silent and ask to be appointed a criminal defense attorney. Once you’ve engaged a criminal defense lawyer, they take the lead on your legal defense. If your employing agency suspends your security clearance and/or proposes your indefinite job suspension, you should then also engage a federal employment attorney to represent you with your employing agency.

If You Wish to Appeal

If you are notified by your employing federal agency that you are under administrative investigation related to your misconduct/arrest, receive a notice of proposed indefinite suspension or removal from your job, and/or a notice of intent to deny or revoke your security clearance, you should immediately engage a federal employment/security clearance appeals attorney to represent you. If you wish to learn more about security clearance appeals, read our blog on how to appeal a security clearance denial.

Top-Rated, Award-Winning Federal Employment Attorneys

Our federal employment attorneys at The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq., Attorneys at Law, PLLC understand that an arrest can be stressful as a federal employee. Especially if you have a security clearance for your job duties, you need to be as proactive as possible following an arrest and hire a criminal defense lawyer and a federal employment attorney.

Were you arrested and unsure how it may affect your federal security clearance? Schedule a consultation with our award-winning federal employment attorneys by calling (202) 350-3881 to learn more about how we can help you retain your employment.