Color of is a legal term meaning "pretense or appearance of" some right. This article is about law in society. ...
Color of law
Color of law refers to an appearance of legal right to act but which is actually in violation. For example, a police officer who mistakenly arrests another without probable cause may have been acting under the color of law. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Police. ... The Chicago Police Department arrests a man A protester is arrested during a demonstration. ... In United States criminal law, probable cause refers to the standard by which a police officer may make an arrest, conduct a personal or property search or obtain a warrant. ...
Color of office
Color of office refers to an act usually committed by a public official under the appearance of authority, but which exceeds such authority. An act committed under color of office is sometimes required to prove malfeasance in office.
Color of title
In property law, color of title refers to a claim to title which appears valid, but it is legally defective. Color of title may arise when there is evidence, such as a writing, suggesting valid legal title. Property law is the area of law that governs the various forms of ownership in real property (land as distinct from personal or movable possessions) and in personal property, within the common law legal system. ... Title is a legal term for an owners interest in a piece of property. ... The law of evidence governs the use of testimony (eg. ...
“Color of law” simply means that the person is using authority given to him or her by a local, state, or federal government agency.
In the case of deprivation of property, the color of law statute would be violated by unlawfully obtaining or maintaining a person’s property, which oversteps or misapplies the official’s authority.
This law, commonly referred to as the Police Misconduct Statute, gives the Department of Justice authority to seek civil remedies in cases where law enforcement agencies have policies or practices that foster a pattern of misconduct by employees.