“The starting point in the law of bribery seems to have been when a judge, for doing his office or acting under color of his office, took a reward or fee from some person who had occasion to come before him, — and apparently guilt attached only to the judge himself and not to the bribe-giver.” Rollin M. Perkins & Ronald N. Boyce, Criminal Law 527 (3d ed. 1982).
color of office
color of office. The authority or power that is inherent in an office, esp. a public office. • Acts taken under the color of an office are vested with, or appear to be vested with, the authority entrusted to that office. [Cases: Officers and Public Employees 121. C.J.S. Officers and Public Employees §§ 329–334.]
