States within the union maintain records on court documents, vehicular traffic transgressions, marriage and divorce licenses, property and lien records, and more, and because of the Minnesota Data Practices Act, these facts are offered to the population. All relevant facts about the many happenings of law enforcement, local courts, and local government are within these records, and generally are deemed public unless formally redacted. Residents of Rockford have the ability to better recognize their rights because of these laws, and the transparency available from the release of these records maintains both criminals and regulators liable with regard to their actions, subsequently leading to a more open and free society for all.