crimes. In a large sense it, signifies any oppression, under color of right: but in a more strict sense it means the unlawful taking by any officer, by color of his office, of any money or thing of value that is not due to him, or more than is due, or before it is due. To constitute extortion, there must be the receipt of money or something of value; the taking a promissory note, which is void, is. not sufficient to make an extortion. It is extortion and oppression for an officer to take money for the performance of his duty, even though it be in the exercise of a discretionary power.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
Any oppression by color or pretense of right, and particularly the exaction by an officer of money, by color of his office, either when none at all is due, or not so much is due, or when it is not yet due. Preston v. Bacon, 4 Conn. 480.
Extortion consists in any public officer unlawfully taking, by color of his office, from any person any money or thing of value that is not due to him, or more than his due. Code Ga. 1882. 5 4507.
Extortion is the obtaining of property from another, with his consent induced by wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right.
Extortion is an abuse of public justice, which consists in any officer unlawfuly taking, by color of his office, from any man any money or thing of value that is not due to him, or before it is due. 4 Bl. Comm. 141.
Extortion is any oppression under color of right. In a stricter sense, the taking of money by any officer, by color of his office, when none, or not so much, is due, or it is not yet due. 1 Hawk. P. C. (Curw. Ed.) 418.
It is the corrupt demanding or receiving by a person in office of a fee for services which should be performed gratuitously; or, where compensation is permissible, of a larger fee than the law justifies, or a fee not due. 2 Bish. Crim. Law,