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Civil litigation

conversion

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 New Jersey, 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, rather than to compensate the victim. However, New Jersey law does provide mechanisms for victims of theft to seek restitution as part of the criminal process. In a civil lawsuit for conversion, the plaintiff must prove that they had legal ownership or right to possession of the property, that the defendant exercised unauthorized control over the property, and that the plaintiff suffered damages as a result. If successful, the plaintiff may be awarded compensation for the value of the property or other damages caused by the conversion. It's important to note that the standards of proof and objectives differ between civil cases for conversion and criminal cases for theft.

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Civil litigation

conversion

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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New-Jersey State Code

New-Jersey State Code

Civil litigation

conversion

Articles