He was a member of the New Jersey State Board of Finance from 1906 to 1907.
He was the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1928 to 1928.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 18, 1925, but declined the appointment.
[1] McCarthy received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on October 6, 1928, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Judge John Rellstab.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 8, 1929, and received his commission the same day.