Access to public records in the US at the federal level is guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Each state has its own version of FOIA. For example, in Colorado there is the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and in New Jersey the law is known as the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).
Public records are held in physical files. Many public records are available via Internet or other sources; even though public records are indeed "public", their accessibility is not always simple, free or easy.
Danger foreseen is half avoided. He that once deceives is ever suspected. An early riser is sure to be in luck. Early to bed and early to rise makes people healthy, wealthy and wise. He that lies down with dogs must rise with fleas. Who eats with heart is a worker smart. Between two stools you fall to the ground. He that promises too much means nothing. He who laughs at crooked men should need walk very straight. He who sleeps catches no fish. Who chatters to you will chatter of you. Happiness takes no account of time. He begins to die that quits his desires. He needs a long spoon that sups with the devil. He that will steal an egg will steal an ox. He that goes a-borrowing, goes a sorrowing. He lives long that lives well. He works best who knows his trade. He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut. He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens. He who would search for pearls must dive below. He that will thrive, must rise at five. He who would catch fish must not mind getting wet. He who would eat the nut must first crack the shell. He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree. He that shoots oft at last shall hit the mark. He that loses his honesty has nothing else to lose. The pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last. Just as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined. Strike while the iron is hot. Between the cup and lip a morsel may slip. The hole calls the thief. Barking dogs seldom bite. A liar is not believed when he tells the truth. A light purse is a heavy curse. It is easy to be wise after the event. It is good fishing in troubled waters. It is easy to swim if another holds up your chin. Lightly come, lightly go. Easy come, easy go. Nothing is given so freely as advice. It is easier to pull down than to build. Easier said than done. It is easier to fall than to rise. A lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy. Lazy folks take the most pains. A lazy man is the beggar's brother. The leopard cannot change its spots. Lieas should have good memories. Make or break. Neck or nothing. The fox may grow grey, but never good. Leaves without figs. The fox is not taken twice in the same snare. Ill gotten, ill spent. The face is the index of the mind. Face to face, the truth comes out. Go to bed with lamb and rise with the lark. A lie begets a lie. The moon does not heed the barking of the dogs. Best defence is attack. The best fish swim near the bottom. Prevention is better than cure. Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion. Better be a fool than a knave. Better be alone than in bad company. Better untaught than ill-taught. Better one-eyed than stone-blind. Better one word in time than two afterwards. Better lose a jest than a friend. Better never begin than never make an end. He smells best that smells of nothing. He knows best what good is that has endured evil. He laughs best who laughs last. Better be envied than pitied. Better speak truth rudely than lie covertly. It is better to give than to take. Better ride an ass that carries us than a horse that throws us. It is better to wear out than to rust out. Better suffer a great evil than do a small one. Better go to bed supper less than rise in debt. A little help is worth a deal of pity. Better one small fish than an empty dish. Better a little fire to warm us, than a great one to burn us. Better bend the neck than bruise the forehead.