Difference Between Conversion and Civil Theft

A recent case discusses the distinction between a conversion claim and a civil theft claim. Guess what? It’s a minor distinction, but one with a huge difference. In Batista v. Rodriguez, 49 Fla.L.Weekly D1099a (Fla. 3d DCA 2024), the allegations were that people wrongfully received checks from a woman’s bank account. These checks were the result of people taking advantage and exerting undue influence over the woman. A letter was sent demanding a return of the money and the money was not returned. The woman was found to be incapacitated and the woman’s guardian filed a lawsuit for conversion and civil...