Maryland state guidelines determine that records documenting public decisions such as court papers, arrest records, marriage certificates, vehicular infractions and more are open and accessible to the public, largely due to the Maryland Public Information Act. All crucial information on the numerous happenings of authorities, city and county courts, and local government are contained in these records, and generally are presumed public unless officially redacted. Both authorities and criminals can be held responsible because of their conduct thanks to these laws, that provide the citizenry with the tools they require to look into problems independent of their authorities.