Due to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, records such as court papers, arrest records, marriage certificates, and more are obtainable for the populace to find, research, and obtain, and Montanans are no different with thanks to the Montana Open Meetings Law. This statute, itself based on the Freedom of Information Act at the country wide level, supplies Stevensville residents with information relating to instances of governmental intervention, including the names and addresses of those involved, the situations leading up an incidence, effects and sentences passed down, and much more. Citizens of Stevensville are able 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 legislators responsible with regard to their actions, subsequently leading to a more open and free society for everybody.