Slave codes were a list of rules and regulations or laws to set up a relationship between slaves and the owners, also a way to allow slavery to be legalize. The laws were also used to decide the status of the slaves and the rights the owners had to treat their slaves the way they wanted. These slave codes actually placed restrictions on slaves limiting their freedoms and increasing the freedoms of their owners. Many provisions were designed to control the slave population and to prevent rebellion of slaves. Some of these slave codes prohibited slaves from reading and writing, also allowing slave owners to search to regularly search slave residences. Some codes prohibited slaves from owning weapons, leaving their owner's plantations without permission, or lifting a hand against a person of different color, even in self-defense.
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For example, in Alabama, slaves were not allowed to leave the owner's premises without written consent, nor were they allowed to trade goods among themselves. In Virginia, slaves were not permitted to drink in public within one mile of their master or during public gatherings. In Ohio, a freed slave was not allowed to live or return to the state where he was freed. The slave codes in the northern area were less harsh on slaves than the slave codes in the southern colonies, but still having similar restrictions. These slave codes included forbidding slaves from leaving their owner's property, not allowing slaves to buy alcohol from white people, and setting specific punishments for slaves attempting to escape. In the deep south any slave who evaded capture for 20 days or more was publicly whipped for the first offense, branded with the letter R on the right cheek for the second offense, and lost one ear if absent for 30 days for the third offense, and castrated for the fourth
For example, in Alabama, slaves were not allowed to leave the owner's premises without written consent, nor were they allowed to trade goods among themselves. In Virginia, slaves were not permitted to drink in public within one mile of their master or during public gatherings. In Ohio, a freed slave was not allowed to live or return to the state where he was freed. The slave codes in the northern area were less harsh on slaves than the slave codes in the southern colonies, but still having similar restrictions. These slave codes included forbidding slaves from leaving their owner's property, not allowing slaves to buy alcohol from white people, and setting specific punishments for slaves attempting to escape. In the deep south any slave who evaded capture for 20 days or more was publicly whipped for the first offense, branded with the letter R on the right cheek for the second offense, and lost one ear if absent for 30 days for the third offense, and castrated for the fourth