If someone disseminates Criminal Justice Information without authorization, what type of offense are they committing?

Disseminating Criminal Justice Information without proper authorization is categorized as a misdemeanor. This classification typically stems from the serious nature of the information involved, which is intended to be protected and only accessed or shared by authorized personnel within law enforcement or related agencies. Misdemeanors often encompass offenses that, while still serious, do not carry the same level of severity as felonies, which are reserved for more severe violations of law.

In the context of Criminal Justice Information, unauthorized dissemination can pose significant risks to public safety, privacy, and law enforcement operations, which is why such actions are treated with legal seriousness but do not escalate to a felony classification. This makes the offense a misdemeanor, carrying legal penalties such as fines or potential short-term incarceration, depending on jurisdictional laws.