What was legal under slavecodes?

Under slave codes, it was legal for slaveowners to own, buy, sell, and trade enslaved individuals as property. Enslaved people were denied basic human rights, such as the ability to marry legally, own property, or access education. Additionally, slave codes often included harsh punishments for enslaved individuals who attempted to escape or disobey their owners. These laws were designed to maintain the institution of slavery and control the enslaved population.