Have you ever been arrested?
The CIA website lists potential disqualifiers and security concerns that may disqualify you as an applicant. One of the potential disqualifiers is criminal or unethical behavior. The CIA acknowledges and understands that no one is perfect and assesses each applicant as a whole, rather than based on a single issue or mistake in the past. However, the CIA does have a few standards that may disqualify you from obtaining security clearance, such as recent criminal or unethical behavior, pending criminal charges, felony convictions, dishonorable discharge, or illegal downloading of copyrighted material. Explain if you have ever been arrested, when it occurred, what the charges were, the outcome, and what you learned from the experience.
If you have been arrested and it was expunged from your record or your record was sealed, you want to avoid saying you have never been arrested. It is best to be honest and let the CIA decide if your violation was minor enough to overlook. Even if the crime was sealed or deleted from your record, the CIA has the means to find out.
"No, I have never been arrested or charged with any crime. I am a law-abiding citizen and have never even had a ticket."
"Yes, I was arrested when I was 17 years old for driving under the influence. I was at a .04 blood alcohol level and was released on bond two hours later. I was charged with a misdemeanor, served 60 hours of community service, and was fined 5,000. I completed the terms of my sentence, and the courts expunged the misdemeanor from my record seven years ago. After that experience, I never took another sip of alcohol and have not been in trouble with the law since."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have not been arrested or charged with any crime. I am a quiet law-abiding citizen.
Jaymie's Feedback
Again, a brief and direct answer such as this is appropriate here. Excellent!
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