Torts Lecture Nineteen: Intentional Torts – Civil Theft vs. Conversion

Lecture Nineteen covers the nuanced distinction between two closely related intentional torts: civil theft and conversion. While both involve the wrongful interference with another’s property rights, civil theft carries an added element of fraudulent intent and often triggers statutory remedies, including treble damages and attorney’s fees. Conversion, by contrast, centers on the unauthorized exercise of control over someone else’s property, regardless of motive, and is typically remedied through compensatory damages. This lecture examines how courts differentiate between mere possession and dominion, the role of intent in establishing liability, and the evidentiary burdens required to prove each claim. Through comparative analysis and real-world examples, students learn to identify when a wrongful taking escalates from a civil tort to a potentially criminal act with civil consequences.