What does conversion mean in a criminal case?

Asked by: Dr. Alexie McCullough  |  Last update: June 21, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person commits criminal conversion. The element of knowledge is found when the accused person engages in the conduct and he/she is aware of a high probability that he/she is doing so.

What is conversion in criminal law?

Conversion, under California law, is defined as: intentional interference with the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner of the property.

What is the meaning of case conversion?

Conversion is an intentional tort consisting of "taking with the intent of exercising over the chattel an ownership inconsistent with the real owner's right of possession". In England and Wales, it is a tort of strict liability. Its equivalents in criminal law include larceny or theft and criminal conversion.

What are examples of conversion cases?

Conversion can occur when someone, acting without your consent, does any of the following with your property:
  • Takes and fails to return your private property.
  • Sells your property.
  • Substantially changes your property, like cutting down trees to use the wood in construction.
  • Severely damages or misuses your property.

What does conversion mean in the court system?

Conversion is a legal expression that describes a civil tort (when someone does something wrong, but criminal law is not broken ) where one person “converts” another person's property for themselves. Basically… stealing. Other ways to think about it? When someone pretends to own something that belongs to someone else.

Can a civil lawsuit turn into a criminal?

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What does it mean when a criminal case has been converted?

A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person commits criminal conversion. The element of knowledge is found when the accused person engages in the conduct and he/she is aware of a high probability that he/she is doing so.

What is the punishment for conversion?

However, “borrowing” or using an object without the permission of the owner does have repercussions. This crime, known as criminal conversion, is taken very seriously. It can be labeled as a misdemeanor or felony that carries fines and years in prison.

Is criminal conversion a felony?

Sec. 3. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person commits criminal conversion, a Class A misdemeanor.

Is conversion an action on the case?

The circumstances which give rise to an action in conversion may also found an action by the defendant against the plaintiff. This is a com- pletely separate cause of action, and as such would give rise to a counter-claim or cross-action in negligence rather than to a defence of contributory negligence.

What are the three types of conversion?

The possible types of conversion are standard conversion, no conversion, and user-defined nonstandard conversion.

What is guilty of conversion?

A conversion occurs when a person without authority or permission intentionally takes the personal property of another or deprives another of possession of personal property. It is a tort which allows the injured party to seek legal relief.

What is the difference between conversion and diversion?

Conversion refers to meeting of some rays or lines whereas diversion refers to deflection or the action of turning something aside from it course. Here is your answer: Conversion: The process of changing or causing something to change one from to another.

What are the rules for conversion?

Rule 1: When converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply. Rule 2: When converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide. This basic rule applies to all conversions, no matter the object being measured or the system you're using.

Can you request imprisonment in a civil case for conversion?

In a civil case for conversion, you can request: Monetary damages and criminal restitution. Monetary damages as compensation. Monetary damages and a term of imprisonment.

What is a conversion charge disposition?

Conversion is the unauthorized use or disposition of another person's property as if it were one's own. It is a civil wrong, meaning that it is a violation of someone's rights that is remedied through a lawsuit seeking monetary damages.

What do we mean by conversion?

the act or process of converting; state of being converted. a change in character, form, or function. a change from one religion, political belief, viewpoint, etc., to another. a thoroughgoing spiritual change that involves repentance and a turn toward God or right living.

How do you prove conversion?

Under California law, the elements required to prove a claim of conversion are: (1) the plaintiff's ownership or right to possession of the property; (2) the defendant's conversion by a wrongful act or in a manner that is inconsistent with the plaintiff's property rights; and (3) resulting damages.

What does it mean when a case is converted?

Case converted usually is just a computer term to show that the case was converted in the system. It does not indicate a change in anything in the case itself. You might want to consider filing for an expungement to get it off of the publicly visible web site.

What is a conversion action?

A conversion action is a specific customer action that you've defined as valuable to your business, such as an online purchase or phone call.

What is the charge for conversion?

Conversion is charged when a person is accused of knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over property of another person. This crime differs from theft because there is no element of intending to deprive the other person of the value or use of the property. Conversion is a Class A misdemeanor.

What is the penalty for conversion?

Therefore, theft by conversion is a misdemeanor. Theft crimes except shoplifting are punished as a misdemeanor if property value is less than $500 (with exceptions). If the value of the items is more than $500, then 1 to 10 years in prison is the punishment.

What is a conversion sentence?

Conversion of sentences refers to the process of changing a sentence from one voice to another, specifically from active voice to passive voice or vice versa.

What damages are available for conversion?

Generally, the measure of damages for conversion is the fair market value of the property when it was converted, which could be the cost to produce the property. Court Opinions. These damages may also include interest. Court Opinions.

What is a converted penalty?

This verb is often used with the noun penalty – to convert a penalty. To convert means, in this context, to score, to successfully take your chance and turn it into a goal. It is also used to talk about scoring in general but this is not as common as its use with penalties.

What is the difference between trespassing and conversion to personal property?

They involve interfering with someone's personal property, but differ in severity and consequences. Trespass is a minor interference, while conversion involves taking control of the property. These torts protect property rights and provide remedies for wrongful interference.