What shall a person be guilty of if they knowingly violate rules adopted by an environmental health agency?

When a person knowingly violates rules set by an environmental health agency, they typically commit a misdemeanor. This classification reflects the seriousness of violating laws and regulations intended to protect public health and the environment. Misdemeanors are generally regarded as less severe than felonies, but they still carry legal penalties such as fines or potentially short-term imprisonment.

This classification aligns with how many jurisdictions address environmental violations, aiming to enforce compliance with regulations designed to safeguard community welfare. In contrast, the other options do not provide the necessary legal context: "violation" lacks specificity regarding the nature of the legal consequences, "felony" suggests a more serious offense that usually requires intent to cause significant harm or risks to public safety, while "error in judgment" is more subjective and does not imply a deliberate breach of law. Therefore, a knowing violation of these important regulations warrants the designation of a misdemeanor.