South Dakota state laws determine that records showing municipal decisions including court documents, arrest records, marriage licenses, traffic infractions and more are open and available to the general public, largely because of the South Dakota Open Meetings Law. These records maintain information about trial, arrest, divorce, vehicular, and vital records, like the names of those involved, particulars on criminal acts committed, the final sentences, and more. Both government bodies and offenders are able to be held accountable because of their actions thanks to these laws, which provide the citizenry with the resources they need to study problems independent of their governing administration.