South Carolina state laws stipulate that records documenting public activities like court documents, police arrest records, marriage licenses, vehicular violations and more are open and available for the general public, largely as a result of the South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act. All applicable info on the various happenings of authorities, city and county courts, and local government are incorporated into these records, and are deemed public unless officially redacted. Residents of Chester 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 regulators culpable with regard to their actions, consequently leading to a more open and free society for everybody.