Section 1. Slavery and involuntary servitude abolished. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

    Section 2. Enforcement. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

[Proposed by Congress and ratified by the necessary number of states in 1865]