New York City Investigative Interview Attorney

Lawyer in Manhattan Representing Civil Service Employees in Disciplinary Questioning

If you work in the public sector in New York City or anywhere else in New York State, you could be summoned to answer questions about your own conduct or that of a fellow employee at any time. Your first reaction might be to simply answer questions without a second thought and without proper representation. Doing so, however, might not be the best option.

At The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC, our team of skilled professionals has vast experience in all stages of the discipline process for civil service employees. We have obtained favorable outcomes and developed creative solutions for civil service workers facing all types of disciplinary actions. Attorney Gregory Watford has more than 25 years of legal experience working in criminal defense and civil service employment matters. His background in both areas affords him a wealth of insight that can be extremely valuable when you have been called in for questioning or an investigative interview.

Understanding Your Rights in White Plains and Mt. Vernon

New York State law provides tenured civil service workers with important protections and certain rights. Among these are the right to representation when you are summoned to an investigative interview—or questioning session, if your employer is not calling it an "interview." It is important for you to understand that you have the right to representation even if you are being questioned as a witness and not the target of the investigation.

Many civil workers choose to have a union representative represent them during questioning, but you could also elect to have an attorney present. Your union rep can explain the rights you have through your employer or your collective bargaining agreement, but he or she cannot provide legal advice or direction. A qualified civil service employee defense lawyer will work to protect your legal rights and help you understand the options you may have under the law.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for Work-Related Questioning?

At The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC, we recognize that an investigative interview or questioning session might seem fairly inconsequential, especially if someone else is the primary subject of the questions. However, we also know how fast the focus can shift to your own conduct, both on and off the clock. It is even possible for such an interview to give rise to the filing of criminal charges against you.

When you have Mr. Watford representing your interests during questioning, you can be sure that your rights will be fully protected. He has worked closely with both unions and civil service employers, so he understands the investigative process well. As an accomplished criminal defense attorney, he also knows how employment disciplinary proceedings can affect criminal proceedings and vice versa.

If you are being questioned by representatives of the Inspector General's office or any other law enforcement agency in addition to your employer, it is no longer just an employment-related matter, it is a criminal matter. Investigative interviews are also typically considered "on the record," which means that under certain circumstances, anything that you say during questioning could potentially be used against you during your hearing or even criminal prosecution. We will do everything we can to help you avoid self-incrimination and to protect your rights, from the first question all the way through to your hearing and possible appeals.

Call 646-580-6675 for Guidance

To learn more about our firm and how we can help you during a civil service investigative interview, contact our office. Call 646-580-6675 for a confidential consultation and review of your case at The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC today. We represent public sector employees in New York County, Queens County, Kings County, Bronx County, Westchester County, Rockland County, Nassau County, and the surrounding areas.