A crime is an act or failure to act that the legislature has determined should be punished. The main purpose of criminal law is to protect life, liberty, and property. The courts, which interpret and apply the laws written by the legislatures, include Federal and State Courts. The Oklahoma State court system is organized into a unified judicial system and includes the State supreme court, courts of appeals, municipal courts, and juvenile courts. The courts are becoming increasingly aware of the rights of victims and witnesses in addition to the rights of persons accused of committing a crime. It is suggested that the key to victim prevention is to reduce the opportunity for crime. Citizens should be alert, be determined, plan ahead, take precautions, and report witnessed crimes. For example, rape and other violent crimes may be prevented by locking all doors and windows in the home and in the car. Dark alleys, parking places, and streets should be avoided. Burglary can be prevented through installation of deadbolts and window locks. Valuables should be marked with an engraving pen. Crimes involving purse snatching and mugging, armed robbery, bad checks, and confidence games can be similarly avoided through use of appropriate preventive measures. The booklet also describes events and participants in an actual burglary case which was prosecuted in Oklahoma City include the crime, arrest of the suspect, victims, witness, jail, the juvenile offender, juvenile court, the district attorney, defense attorneys, the witness center, preliminary hearing, the trial, and the State penitentiary. The story focuses on the 15-year-old eyewitness to a burglary in her apartment complex, her participation in the trial, her experiences in the District Attorney's Witness Center, and her final decision to volunteer at the center 2 years later. Sketches and a glossary are included in the booklet.