None but officers can commit the offense of extortion.316 Nor are there accessories in extortion.317 And extortion may be committed by any officer, whether federal, state, county, municipal, or judicial or ministerial officer,318 including the deputy of any such officer.319 And attorneys at law are officers within the meaning of statutes against extortion.320 The offense of extortion may be committed by a de facto officer as well as a de jure one.321

312 4 Am. & Eng. Ency. Law, 577

(2nd Ed.). 313 4 Blackstone Com., 141. 314 1 Hawk P. C, 68, Sec. 1. 315 12 Am. & Eng. Ency. Law, 577

(2nd Ed.). 316 White vs. State, 56 Ga., 388;

Kirby vs. State, 57 N. J. L., 320. 317 Rex vs. Soggen, 1 Stra., 73; 12

Am. & Eng. Ency. Law, 580

(2nd Ed.). 318 Reg. vs. Baines, 6 Mod., 192;

Com. vs. Salisbury, 152 Pa.

St., 554; Rex vs. Seymour, 7

Md., 282; Lane vs. State, 49

N. J. L., 573. 319 Com. vs. Saulsbury, 152 Pa. St., 554; Com. vs. Bagley, 7 Pick (Mass.), 279. 320 Fowler vs. Tutle, 24 N. H., 9;

Adams vs. Savage, Holt, 197;

Troy's Case, 1 Mo., 5. 321 Com. vs. Saulsbury, 153 Pa. St., 554; Kirby vs. State, 57 N. J.

L., 320.