States in the union maintain records on court documents, vehicular traffic offenses, marriage and divorce certificates, property and lien records, and much more, and because of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, this data are offered to the general public.  All pertaining information about the numerous happenings of police officers, local courts, and local government are contained in these records, and generally are assumed public unless legally redacted. Because of these laws, locals of Blue Ridge Shores can take advantage of transparency in their government, which in turn promotes a free and open society where the populace may hold both criminals and authorities alike liable for their actions.