For many people, shoplifting is all but synonymous with grab-and-dash thefts. Some people hide items in their purses or pockets and leave without paying. Others grab a handful of items and run out of the store to avoid getting caught by workers.
However, shoplifting frequently occurs during a transaction. Those going through the self-checkout lane at a grocery store or big box retailer may face more scrutiny than those going through a lane with a cashier.
After all, more than a quarter of consumers admit to occasionally failing to pay for items in the self-checkout lane. Even if people don’t hide items, their choices in the self-checkout lane could still lead to shoplifting allegations.
Shoplifting can involve many behaviors
Shoplifting isn’t just the failure to pay for certain items. Shoplifting can also entail trying to manipulate the checkout process for personal financial gain by depriving the business of the full retail value of merchandise.
For example, someone checking out with costly tropical fruit might input the produce code for apples, which are a fraction of the price per pound. Others might replace the barcodes on certain items by applying stickers from other merchandise with lower prices.
Such actions are not as overt as grab-and-dash theft, but they do still constitute shoplifting. People accused of intentionally depriving retailers of the full value of goods could end up facing serious criminal charges.
Fighting back against shoplifting allegations requires an understanding of the law and an analysis of the evidence. Defendants who discuss their cases with lawyers can potentially develop defense strategies that help them avoid a criminal conviction, along with the penalties it carries and the consequences of a permanent criminal record.