Maryland state regulations stipulate that records revealing public actions including court papers, police arrest records, marriage certificates, traffic transgressions and more are open and available for the public, largely because of the Maryland Public Information Act. All applicable details about the multitude of happenings of law enforcement officials, city courts, and local government are incorporated into these records, and generally are assumed public unless legally redacted. People of Somerset have the ability to better recognize their rights due to these laws, and the transparency available from the release of these records helps to keep both criminals and authorities liable for their actions, consequently leading to a more open and free society for all.