Conversion (theft) is generally the cause of action/claim for which a party whose property has been stolen may file a civil lawsuit to recover the stolen property or its value. Theft is also prosecuted as a crime, but the object of a criminal prosecution is generally to punish the wrongdoer, rather than to seek recovery of the lost property.
In Kentucky, conversion is a civil cause of action that allows a person whose property has been wrongfully taken or retained to seek recovery of their property or its monetary value from the party responsible for the conversion. This is distinct from theft, which is a criminal offense prosecuted by the state. The primary goal of a criminal prosecution for theft is to punish the offender, whereas a civil action for conversion aims to compensate the victim for their loss. Victims of theft in Kentucky can pursue both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for conversion. The civil action does not depend on the outcome of the criminal case, and it can provide a remedy in situations where criminal charges are not filed or where the criminal prosecution does not result in restitution to the victim.