What is a major liability issue associated with erroneous data in criminal records?

The issue of false arrest or imprisonment is a major liability concern when it comes to erroneous data in criminal records. If an individual is mistakenly identified as having a criminal history due to inaccuracies in their records, law enforcement may arrest them under false pretenses. This situation can lead to serious legal repercussions for the officers involved and the entire agency, as it undermines the principles of justice and can cause significant harm to the wrongly accused individual. Mistaken identities or incorrect charges stemming from faulty records can result in wrongful detention or imprisonment, which opens the door to civil lawsuits against the police department for damages suffered by the individual. Therefore, the accuracy of criminal records is essential not only for upholding justice but also for protecting law enforcement agencies from potential liabilities that arise from legal actions taken due to erroneous information.