It’s one of the most common — and most frightening — legal situations Missouri shoppers face today.

You’re checking out at Walmart, Target, or your local grocery store using the self-checkout machines. You scan items, bag them, and move fast. Then, without realizing it, one item doesn’t beep, or you place something in your cart that you thought was scanned… and seconds later, store security approaches you.

Suddenly, what felt like an accident becomes a confrontation.

It spirals out of control — fast. Employees accuse you of shoplifting, the police are called. You’re terrified — because Missouri law can treat missed scans the same as intentional theft.

Short answer, yes — you can be arrested for accidentally failing to scan an item at self-checkout in Missouri. And these cases happen every single day.

At KC Defense Counsel, our experienced Kansas City criminal defense lawyers want you to understand everything you need to know and why calling our conveniently located Kansas City office today may be the only way to protect your name, your record, and your future.

WHY STORES TREAT MISSED SCANS LIKE INTENTIONAL THEFT

Retailers across Missouri — especially major chains — aggressively pursue shoplifting charges.

Self-checkout theft is one of the fastest-growing concerns for retailers, so stores now:

Monitor every self-checkout with cameras
Assign employees to watch screens remotely
Call police even when the customer insists it was a mistake
Document missed scans as “intentional concealment”
Push prosecutors for charges to discourage future theft

Large corporations instruct employees to charge first, question later, leaving innocent shoppers to fight the accusations.

MISSOURI SHOPLIFTING LAWS APPLY TO SELF-CHECKOUT MISTAKES

Under Missouri Revised Statute 570.030, the state must prove that you knowingly stole or attempted to steal an item.

But here’s the problem:

Stores and prosecutors often assume that if an item wasn’t scanned, you intended to take it, mistake or not.

A missed scan — even a total accident — can lead to a charge for:

Class D misdemeanor stealing (items under $150, first offense)
Class A misdemeanor stealing (items under $750)
Felony stealing (large amounts, repeated conduct, or prior convictions)

You don’t even have to leave the store. The moment an employee thinks you intended to take unpaid merchandise, they can detain you and call police.

Can You Actually Be Arrested? Yes. Loss prevention employees often contact law enforcement right away. Once the police arrive, if the store claims you intentionally stole an item — even a candy bar or bottle of shampoo — officers may arrest you or issue you a criminal citation.

And unfortunately, the charge goes on your record immediately — even if it was truly an accident.

COMMON SELF-CHECKOUT SITUATIONS THAT LEAD TO CHARGES IN MISSOURI

People are charged for innocent mistakes every day. The most common scenarios include:

The barcode didn’t scan
The scanner beeped, but didn’t register the item
Items stuck together (two items, one scan)
You bagged before scanning
You thought your child or partner scanned something
You were distracted or in a rush
You placed an item in the cart to make room on the counter

Loss prevention workers may interpret all of these as intent to steal — even when there was none.

HOW MISSOURI PROSECUTORS MIGHT TRY TO PROVE INTENT

Intent is the key element in stealing cases. But instead of real proof, prosecutors often rely on:

Video footage they claim shows “suspicious behavior”
Employee statements
The fact that the item wasn’t paid for
Your reactions or statements after being stopped

A good defense lawyer knows that none of this proves intent, and Kansas City judges know that accidents are common.

HOW A KNOWLEDGEABLE KANSAS CITY CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER CAN HELP

Self-checkout shoplifting cases are extremely defensible with the right attorney. A skilled defense lawyer can challenge the case by showing:

The missed scan was an honest mistake
Store employees misinterpreted the video
The scanner malfunctioned
You didn’t try to hide or conceal anything
The store improperly detained you
The item’s value was miscalculated
Your statements were taken out of context

At KC Defense Counsel, our Missouri shoplifting charges defense team may be able to:

Get self-checkout shoplifting charges dismissed
Reduce charges to non-criminal violations
Negotiate diversion programs that keep records clean
Prove scanner failures and employee mistakes
Prevent permanent criminal records for first-time offenders

With the right defense, a simple accident doesn’t have to ruin your future.

EXAMINING THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF A MISSOURI SHOPLIFTING CONVICTION

A theft conviction — even a misdemeanor — can affect:

Employment
Professional licensing
Housing
Security clearances
Future court cases
Immigration status

That’s why fighting the charge matters. Employers take theft crimes seriously and many will refuse to hire applicants with shoplifting on their record.

A missed scan is incredibly common — and it does not make you a criminal.

But Missouri retailers and prosecutors aggressively target self-checkout mistakes, and without a strong defense, you could be facing consequences that affect your entire life.

You deserve someone who will stand between you and the system.

FACING A KANSAS CITY SHOPLIFTING CHARGE? CALL KC DEFENSE COUNSEL TODAY

If you’ve been accused of self-checkout shoplifting in Kansas City or anywhere in Missouri, do not face the charge alone.

Contact KC Defense Counsel immediately. Our affordable Kansas City criminal defense attorneys know how to challenge store accusations, expose scanner errors, and fight to keep your record clean.

Call today for a free, confidential case evaluation — before one misunderstanding damages your future.

Cities we serve: Adrian, Archie, Bates City, Belton, Blue Springs, Buckner, Butler, Cameron, Claycomo, Cleveland, Drexel, Fairview, Ferrelview, Gladstone, Grain Valley, Grandview, Greenwood, Houston Lake, Independence, Kansas City Missouri, Kearney, , Knob Noster, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, Lake Waukomis, Lake Winnebago, Lawson, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, North Kansas City, Oak Grove, Oakview, Parkville, Peculiar,, Platte City, Platte Woods, Plattsburg, Pleasant Hill, Raymore, Raytown, Riverside, Smithville, Sugar Creek, Tracy, Warrensberg, Weatherby Lake, and Weston.

Statewide: Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sheriff Counties we serve: Bates County, Cass County, Clay County, Jackson County, Platte County, Ray County.

Contact our experienced Kansas City criminal defense lawyers near me in Missouri and let us help begin building your defense. Let us help.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Always consult qualified counsel regarding your unique situation.