Shoplifting arrest a misunderstanding says Ryder's lawyer

Oscar-nominated actor Winona Ryder's arrest for allegedly shoplifting nearly $US5000 ($12,000) of clothes from a Beverly Hills department store is a misunderstanding, says her lawyer.

Ryder, aged 30, was picked up last week in the Saks Fifth Avenue store after detectives allegedly saw her removing security tags from items and stuffing them in a bag. When she was searched, police also found painkiller pills in her handbag for which she allegedly did not have a prescription.

Lawyer Mark Geragos said there was no theft and no possession of prescription medication without a prescription.