Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
Did slaves have any rights in the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?
history
history
No, the suspected slave couldn't ask for a jury trial or testify on their own behalf. As a result, suspected slaves were often kidnapped and conscripted, even if theyr were free Blacks. Because suspected fugitive slaves had no rights in court, they were unable to defend themselves against the accusations of being a runaway.
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850