What This Law Addresses

18 U.S.C. § 242 is a federal criminal statute. It makes it a crime for a person acting under governmental authority to willfully deprive someone of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.

The statute applies when a public official — or someone acting with official authority — uses that authority in a way that violates protected rights. The law focuses on misuse of power, not ordinary disputes between private individuals.

Penalties increase depending on the outcome of the conduct, including bodily injury or death.

What “Under Color of Law” Means

“Under color of law” refers to actions taken while exercising power made possible by a governmental position.

This includes actions taken by officials such as police officers, correctional officers, public employees, or others acting in an official capacity — even if those actions exceed their lawful authority.

In other words, the question is not simply whether a person broke the law, but whether they used official authority or power granted by the government while doing so.

The Standard of Proof

This statute requires proof of willful misconduct.

“Willful” means the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the official acted with a specific intent to deprive a person of a protected right. This is a high legal standard.

Because of this requirement, prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. § 242 are complex and often involve detailed factual and legal analysis.

Why This Law Matters

The statute reflects the principle that government authority operates within constitutional limits.

Public officials are granted power to serve the public. When that power is used in a way that intentionally violates constitutional protections, federal law provides a mechanism for criminal accountability.

Understanding the existence and structure of this law helps clarify how constitutional protections are enforced at the federal level.

Full Statute

The complete official text of 18 U.S.C. § 242