Missouri state regulations stipulate that records showing municipal actions including court papers, police arrest records, marriage certificates, traffic transgressions and more are open and available for the public, largely due to the 1973 Missouri Sunshine Law. These records contain titles, times, specifications on events, sentences, processes and more, and generally are all presumed public unless otherwise stated. This legislation, which had been generally based on the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, are in place to be certain U.S. Citizens and residents of Old Jamestown have the ability to understand their privileges, and hold authorities and criminals responsible with regard to their actions, supporting a free and open society for everyone.