Montana’s Open Meetings Law guarantees its citizens the ability to look for, acquire, and use records held by authorities, which includes arrest records, court records, marriage and divorce certificates, and records of traffic violations, and this privilege extends to the locals of Shepherd. This legislation, itself in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act at the federal level, supplies Shepherd citizens with information associated with instances of governmental involvement, including the addresses and names of those involved, the situations leading up an incidence, results and sentences handed down, and much more. Citizens of Shepherd are able to better understand their rights due to these laws, and the transparency available from the release of these records keeps both criminals and authorities responsible for their actions, consequently leading to a more open and free society for everybody.