Self-checkouts at retail businesses allow consumers to swiftly take their purchases and go, and their popularity is increasing both domestically and globally.

Criminal defense attorney and TikTok user Carrie Jernigan (@carriejernigan1) contends that self-checkouts carry a risk of false imprisonment for theft.

In a TikTok video, Jenigan explains how three distinct types of people encounter challenges while using self-checkout.

She categorizes, noting that professional shoplifters comprise the first group. She describes the second group’s activities as “theft by mistake.”

According to Jernigan, this is where innocent individuals might end up in difficulty. According to her, the third category consists of folks who took nothing at all.

She says that it is practically impossible to discover the crimes committed by people in the first group because they have become quite adept at self-checkout stealing.

As a result, big box retailers’ asset protection rules are less lenient on those who had no intention of stealing.

When the corporation learns it is running low on inventory, it begins to target consumers who have already purchased an item.

The attorney says, “They have lost all sympathy and are simply taking a ‘tell it to the judge’ approach.”

As the movie progresses, Jenigan describes a situation in which customers fail to scan an item when checking out at a store.

Even if the buyer did not intend to steal, they may face punishment in the future.

She points out that big-box businesses, such as department stores and supermarkets, may lack the time and resources to discern between accidental and intentional theft.

She elaborated on how these massive corporations apprehend the suspected thief, explaining in detail, “So, they’ll start viewing hours of film to find the last person who checked out with the Mario Lego set since they’re two short.” And for some reason, they believe you did it.” She continues: “Due to the nature of these large retail chains, they typically require minimal proof to secure a warrant, resulting in the filing of charges that could potentially result in a year in jail. Consequently, you find yourself in a precarious situation as you struggle to pinpoint your exact day at Walmart and the items you purchased.”

According to Jernigan, such harassment results in lengthy court appearances and costly litigation that are not worth the risk.

TikTok viewers replied to her video by sharing terrible experiences about utilizing self-checkout counters. “It took me 7 months and cost me $6,000 to clear my name after I was falsely accused, and the evidence should have exonerated me immediately,” tweeted @karengilesalabamabeaches. “My mom accidently left a little $3 lemon oil in her basket after spending $300 on groceries,” @beckoreily remarked on Twitter. They charged her with theft and ordered her to complete community service.