BASIC CONSIDERATIONS GERMANE TO THE PRIVACY OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ARE DESCRIBED. THE IMPACT OF THE OPEN RECORD POLICY, THE USE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA OUTSIDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE SEALING AND PURGING OF RECORDS, AND OTHER REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE DATA FILES ARE PRESENTED. THE DOCUMENT ALSO INCLUDES DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EXPERIENCES OF COLORADO, ILLINOIS, MARYLAND, AND WASHINGTON IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRIVACY LEGISLATION. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF EACH OF THESE STATES IS OUTLINED, FOLLOWED BY AN ANALYSIS OF EACH INFORMATION SYSTEM AND PRIVACY PROGRAM. EXCERPTS FROM STATE LEGISLATION ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)