Title V. Penal Code
Chapter 5. Crimes.
§ 512. Conversion.
1. No person shall be convicted of conversion in the
first degree unless it can be proven that he intentionally deprived the plaintiff of the
entire value of some property without the plaintiff's consent.
2. No person shall be convicted of conversion in the
second degree unless it can be proven that he recklessly deprived the plaintiff of the
entire value of some property without the plaintiff's consent.
3. No person shall be convicted of conversion in the
third degree unless it can be proven that he negligently deprived the plaintiff of the
entire value of some property without the plaintiff's consent.
4. The value of property involved in a conversion
shall be:
a.
for immovable property or services not for sale, the fair market value;
b.
for movable property, the replacement value;
c.
for property intended for sale, the intended sale price.
5. Conversion in the first, second, or third degrees
shall be punished by return of the converted property to its lawful owner, or its
replacement cost if return is not possible. Conversion in:
a.
the first degree shall additionally be punished by damages of ten times
the value of the converted property, or £40, whichever is greater.
b.
the second degree shall additionally be punished by damages of six
times the value of the converted property, or £24, whichever is greater.
c.
the third degree shall additionally be punished by damages of three
times the value of the converted property, or £12, whichever is greater.
6. No additional damages other than the replacement
cost shall be assessed if the defendant:
a.
was unaware that the property was that of another; or
b.
acted under an honest claim of right to the property involved or that
he had a right to acquire or dispose of it as he did; or
c.
took property exposed for sale, intending to purchase and pay for it
promptly.