IN DISCUSSING HOW A CRIMINAL CASE IS HANDLED, A TRUE STORY IS TOLD OF THE PROCESSING OF A JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR AUTO THEFT. HIS PRETRIAL PROCESSING IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF HOW A CHARGE IS FILED, MAKING BAIL, GETTING A LAWYER, THE EXAMINING TRIAL, THE INDICTMENT AND GRAND JURY, AND THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. THE DEFINITIONS OF TERMS MENTIONED IN THE TEXT ARE PROVIDED IN THE MARGIN. ALSO DISCUSSED IN THE SECTION ON THE HANDLING OF A CRIMINAL CASE ARE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRIAL OF A MISDEMEANOR CASE, JUVENILES AND THE LAW, BASIC RIGHTS OF A PERSON CHARGED WITH A CRIME, PROBATION, PAROLE, AND PARDON. A CHART IS PROVIDED TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROCESSING OF A FELONY CASE IN TEXAS. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE TEXAS PENAL CODE ARE CONSIDERED, ALONG WITH THE NATURE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DEFENSES TO CRIMES--INSANITY, INTOXICATION, SELF-DEFENSE, AND OTHER LEGAL USES OF FORCE. CRIMES ARE DISCUSSED ACCORDING TO THE CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON (HOMICIDE, SEX OFFENSES, AND ASSAULT), OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY (ARSON, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, ROBBERY, BURGLARY, HOT CHECKS, SHOPLIFTING, CREDIT CARD ABUSE, AND CONSUMER FRAUDS), WEAPONS, GAMBLING, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES, OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION, AND MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES. SECTIONS ARE ALSO DEVOTED TO DRUG LAWS, DRIVING OFFENSES, AND FEDERAL OFFENSES. WAYS IN WHICH CITIZENS CAN HELP PREVENT CRIME AND PERSONAL VICTIMIZATION ARE LISTED, AND THE PERSONNEL AND STRUCTURE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM ARE INDICATED, TOGETHER WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. (RCB)