South Carolina state laws stipulate that records revealing municipal actions such as court documents, arrest records, marriage licenses, vehicular infractions and more are open and accessible to the public, largely because of the South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act. This law, itself in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act at the federal level, offers Hanahan residents with particulars associated with instances of governmental involvement, including the addresses and names of those involved, the activities leading up an event, effects and sentences passed down, and much more. Residents of Hanahan have the ability to better understand their rights because of these laws, and the transparency provided by the release of these records maintains both criminals and regulators culpable for their actions, in turn leading to a more open and free society for all.