{"id":352175,"date":"2023-10-02T18:37:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T23:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/unauthorized-disclosure-of-classified-information.html"},"modified":"2023-10-02T18:37:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T23:37:12","slug":"unauthorized-disclosure-of-classified-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/unauthorized-disclosure-of-classified-information.html","title":{"rendered":"Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

There are several federal laws prohibiting the disclosure or leaking of classified information. Key provisions appear in the Espionage Act of 1917, which Congress has amended over the years and in other statutes.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure of classified intelligence to the general public or to a foreign entity can be a serious matter of national security. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush provided the following statement about guarding classified information:<\/p>\n

“Any sources and methods of intelligence will remain guarded in secret. My administration will not talk about how we gather intelligence, if we gather intelligence, and what the intelligence says. That’s for the protection of the American people.”<\/p>\n

Whether Americans agree that keeping select information secret is best for the American people or not may be an open question. Yet, unauthorized disclosure of classified information in the United States is a crime under the Espionage Act and several other federal statutes. Those who violate such crimes against the government<\/a> face severe criminal sanctions.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. This article outlines federal crimes<\/a> in this area. It also provides a case example and where to go for more information or legal help<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unauthorized Disclosure Law Explained<\/h2>\n

Under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 798<\/a> (Disclosure of Classified Information), federal law prohibits the knowing and willful<\/a> disclosure of classified information.<\/p>\n

A person is in violation of the law if their actions are knowing and willful and involve any of the following acts disclosing classified information:<\/p>\n