I loaned a digital camera to my friend and now she won't return it. Do I have any recourse?

If you loan a friend $200 and never hear from them again, it's 200$ well spent.

(depending on where you are).

File a claim in small claims court and sue her for the "tort of conversion."

Basically, it was your camera, and she "converted" it to "her" camera.

The elements of Conversion are:

1.) An unprivileged taking of an item of personal property of the plaintiff, or exceeding the scope of consent to use an item of personal property of the plaintiff.

2.) Damage to the plaintiff or plaintiff's personal property (in this case the lack of the time and being deprived of the item for a time)

3.) Caused by the defendant's unreasonable actions or inactions.

You must meet all three of the above elements for the court to award you anything.

You must prove that you loaned her the camera for a period of time and that she has kept it longer than that time and/or will never return it.

You must prove the value of the item (camera) by direct evidence (receipt) or indirect evidence (the price of a similar camera that is of equal or lesser value).

Remedy: If you convince the court that you have a good case you may have either of the following occur at your choice (if you win...):

a.) Issue a court order of restitution stating that your friend, the defendant must give you your property back.

b.) Issue a judgment against your friend, defendant, for the monetary value of the property (camera).

Report her to the police. It would help if you have the camera's receipt, and especially a witness who knew that you loaned the camera.

small claims court only costs a small amount and they add that to yor judgement

Take her to small claims court.