Final answer:
Public records are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential and are accessible to the public. Medical records are an exception and are protected by privacy laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Public records are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential and are part of the public domain. They are accessible to the public and provide transparency in government operations.
Speeding tickets, misdemeanors, and mugshots are all examples of public records. They are typically maintained and made available by government agencies or entities.
However, medical records are an exception to the Freedom of Information Act. They are considered confidential and protected by privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).