if a person has a "conversion" charge against them (or on their record)?

Question

what exactly does that mean?

which degree of felony is it?

thanks.

now I will have to look up "tort action" :)

thanks, you guys rule!

Answer 1

Conversion is a type of theft.

Answer 2

Conversion is the act of selling for profit any merchandise that is held by a chattel mortgage or lien to a licensed lender!
Say if you had a computer or anything else financed and you sold it with out paying it off...well, that's conversion!
The degree of criminal intent determined by the state statutes!
Some states it's a 3rd degree misdemeanor and some it's a low grade felony!

Answer 3

"Conversion" was originally a tort action, where person takes control of property from another person, thus 'converting' it to their own use (or ownership).

I haven't seen the term used in criminal law -- usually it's called embezzlement, fraud or larceny in the criminal context.

But all laws vary by state and country, so it's completely possible some jurisdiction defined a criminal charge using that tort terminology.

Just like trespass and assault were originally only civil/tort terms, but later also became crimes.

Answer 4

The degree of seriousness would depend on the value of what was converted/stolen.