Maryland state laws dictate that records revealing public decisions including court papers, arrest records, marriage licenses, traffic violations and more are open and offered to the public, largely as a result of the Maryland Public Information Act. All essential specifics on the numerous happenings of law enforcement, city courts, and local government are within these records, and generally are presumed public unless legally redacted. Residents of Dawson have the ability to better understand their rights because of these laws, and the transparency available from the release of these records helps to keep both criminals and legislators culpable with regard to their actions, subsequently resulting in a more open and free society for all.