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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 Washington State, conversion is a civil cause of action that allows a person whose property has been wrongfully taken or retained to seek legal remedy. This typically involves filing a lawsuit to recover the property's value or the property itself if it's unique and cannot be easily valued. Conversion is distinct from theft, which is a criminal offense. While conversion focuses on compensating the victim for their loss, criminal theft charges aim to punish the offender. The state's criminal statutes define theft and its penalties, which can range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the value of the stolen property and other circumstances. Victims of theft in Washington can pursue both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for conversion to address the different aspects of the harm they have suffered.

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Civil litigation

conversion

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Washington State Code

Washington State Code

Civil litigation

conversion

Articles