Washington state guidelines stipulate that records recording municipal activities for example court papers, arrest records, marriage licenses, vehicular transgressions and more are open and available for the general public, largely due to the Washington's 1973 Public Records Act. All essential details about the multitude of happenings of police officers, city and county courts, and local government are found in these records, and are believed public unless formally redacted. Residents of La Grande are able to better understand their rights thanks to these laws, and the transparency offered by the release of these records maintains both criminals and legislators culpable with regard to their actions, consequently leading to a more open and free society for everybody.