What must occur for dissemination of a secretly obtained image to be a felony?

For the dissemination of a secretly obtained image to be classified as a felony, it is crucial that the suspect disseminate the image knowingly. This requirement ensures that the individual is aware of the nature of the image and the context in which it was obtained when sharing it. Knowing dissemination highlights a level of culpability that is necessary for the act to constitute a felony, as it signifies an intent to violate the privacy rights of the individual depicted in the image.

In the context of criminal law, intent plays a significant role in establishing the severity of an offense. The law typically differentiates between actions taken with knowledge of their implications and those that might occur inadvertently or without awareness. Thus, the suspect's knowledge aligns with the intent necessary to be charged with a felony under statutes that address privacy violations and the dissemination of confidential images.