Massachusetts state guidelines dictate that records revealing municipal activities for example court papers, arrest records, marriage licenses, traffic violations and more are open and available to the general public, largely as a result of the Massachusetts Public Records Law. All essential information about the many happenings of law enforcement officials, local courts, and local government are found in these records, and generally are believed public unless formally redacted. This legislation, that was largely in line with the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, are in place to ensure U.S. Citizens and people of Fall River have the ability to recognize their protection under the law, and hold government bodies and criminals culpable with regard to their actions, supporting a free and open society for all.