Washington state guidelines stipulate that records showing municipal actions for example court papers, police arrest records, marriage licenses, traffic infractions and more are open and offered to the public, largely due to the Washington's 1973 Public Records Act. All applicable information on the multitude of happenings of law enforcement officials, municipal courts, and local government are contained in these records, and are assumed public unless officially redacted. Citizens of Metaline have the ability to better realize their rights thanks to these laws, and the transparency provided by the release of these records maintains both criminals and authorities culpable for their actions, subsequently leading to a more open and free society for everybody.