IN DISCUSSING COMMON CRIMES AFFECTING BUSINESSES, TEXAS STATUTES PROSCRIBING THE FOLLOWING OFFENSES ARE SUMMARIZED AND DISCUSSED: THEFT (RECEIVING AND CONCEALING STOLEN PROPERTY, SHOPLIFTING, AND THEFT OF TRADE SECRETS AND SERVICE), FRAUD (FORGERY, CREDIT CARD ABUSE, AND CONSUMER FRAUDS), BURGLARY, ROBBERY, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, WORTHLESS CHECKS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION. PENALTIES ATTACHED TO VARIOUS OFFENSES ARE ALSO INDICATED, AND SOME PROBLEMS OF PROSECUTION OF PARTICULAR OFFENSES ARE DISCUSSED. PREVENTIVE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO COUNTER SOME OF THE OFFENSES ARE ALSO PRESENTED. A SECTION DEALS WITH SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE AS A WITNESS IN THE COURSE OF A TRIAL. THE SUGGESTIONS DISCUSSED ARE (1) BE PREPARED WITH THE INFORMATION MENTALLY ORGANIZED WITHOUT BEING MEMORIZED; (2) PRESENT A PROPER APPEARANCE; (3) ALWAYS FACE THE PERSON QUESTIONING YOU; (4) LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE QUESTIONS ASKED OF YOU; (5) EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER, IF NECESSARY; (6) ANSWER ONLY THE QUESTION ASKED; (7) REMAIN CALM; (8) GIVE POSITIVE, DEFINITE ANSWERS; (9) DO NOT QUESTION THE JUDGE ABOUT WHETHER YOU MUST ANSWER A QUESTION; (10) ANSWER FRANKLY IF ASKED WITH WHOM YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT YOUR TESTIMONY; AND (11) BE NATURAL AND CONVERSATIONAL. THE PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING A CRIME IS DESCRIBED, AND THE PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE VARIOUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY ARE LISTED. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ARE ALSO LISTED BY PRECINCT, WITH NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A SUGGESTED CRIME REPORTING FORM AND A SAMPLE OF A DESCRIPTION FORM FOR A WITNESS TO USE IN DESCRIBING A PERSON OBSERVED IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. (RCB)