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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 Utah, conversion is a civil cause of action that allows a person whose property has been wrongfully taken or retained to seek recovery of the 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 for their loss. However, Utah law does provide mechanisms for victims of crime, including theft, to seek restitution as part of the criminal process. Victims can also pursue civil remedies independently to recover their property or its value. It's important for victims to understand that the burden of proof is different in civil cases (preponderance of the evidence) compared to criminal cases (beyond a reasonable doubt), and the outcomes of criminal and civil actions are independent of each other.

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Civil litigation

conversion

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Utah State Code

Utah State Code

Civil litigation

conversion

Articles