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Compendium of State Privacy and Security Legislation: 1997 Overview - Alaska; Alaska Statutes Annotated

NCJ Number
170037
Date Published
May 1997
Annotation
This is a 1997 overview of Alaska law pertinent to the privacy and security of criminal justice information.
Abstract

Chapter 62 of Alaska's Code addresses criminal justice information systems' security and privacy. As stated in a section of this chapter, the intent of this statute is to protect crime victims, facilitate the proper administration of justice, and avoid vigilantism. Provisions indicate what data are to be collected and how they are to be used so as to serve justice and protect a citizen's reasonable expectation of privacy. Except as provided by law, access to specified classes of criminal justice information is available only to law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of their official duties. Also, criminal justice information may be made available to qualified persons for research related to law enforcement and to a person who is the subject of a record. The operating procedures mandated are designed to ensure the security of the information from unauthorized disclosure and from inaccuracy. Procedures and conditions are specified for the sealing and purging of criminal justice information. Alaska law on access to public records states that such records are open to inspection and copying unless the law specifies otherwise. Criminal justice records that contain personal information or information crucial to an investigation are exempted from access. Also included in this compendium are regulations for the collection and storage of criminal justice information, along with mandates for the collection, maintenance, and use of criminal and identification records. Some attorney general opinions on the interpretation of the aforementioned laws are provided as well.

Date Published: May 1, 1997