South Carolina state guidelines determine that records documenting municipal actions for example court documents, police arrest records, marriage certificates, traffic violations and more are open and accessible to the public, largely because of the South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act. All essential information about the many happenings of law enforcement, city courts, and local government are incorporated into these records, and generally are deemed public unless formally redacted. Residents of Catawba 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 authorities culpable for their actions, consequently resulting in a more open and free society for everybody.