Conversion is a civil claim that can be brought when a party wrongfully takes another’s money or property. Conversion is any act of control wrongfully exerted over another’s personal property. The control exerted must cause an actual interference with one’s ownership or right of possession. Neither legal title nor absolute ownership of the property is necessary. A party need only prove that he was entitled to immediate possession at the time of conversion. The fact that plaintiff regained possession of the converted property does not prevent him from suing for damages for the conversion.

A manual taking of the property is not necessary; it is only necessary to show that someone assumed control or ownership over the property, or that the alleged converter has applied the property to his or her own use. A person who converts another’s property to their own use must pay damages for the value of the past use of the property even if it is returned.