How to Interpret Personal Liberty Laws
When the personal liberty laws were passed as a result of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, the laws distinguished the rights of freed and fugitive slaves. These laws were determined to be unconstitutional in 1842 by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the original, pro-slave owner, Fugitive Slave Act. The spirit of personal liberty law lives on today, especially in reaction to Federal Government legislation. Read on to learn more.
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For the civil war era, personal liberty laws forbade use of state jails to imprison supposed fugitives, prohibited state officials from strict enforcement, bounty hunter criteria as well as right to a trial by jury and right to an appeal.
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Understand that the heart of the personal liberty laws were to retain and empower state decision making. Modern day personal liberty enthusiasts have evolved the personal liberty concept to other violations of personal rights of citizens within a state.
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Look at the right of privacy through the filter of personal liberties. Financial and medical privacy are considered compromised by the post 911 Patriot Act. Very similar to the pro-slavery ideology of the federal government, the Patriot Act allows for injudicious use of wiretaps, unlimited warrant access, private internet monitoring, and search of property without informed consent.
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Refer to the constitution as the personal liberty fan's rule book for limited government. The familiar, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" require not being able to arrest someone without justification, denial of due process, religious freedom, and the right to form a militia including the right to bear arms.
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