The first section of this collection of papers focuses on the incidence and nature of rural crime and the characteristics of rural offenders. In this section's introduction the editors make the point that there is scant information about rural crime. One paper reviews rural crime literature since 1930 and illustrates two recurring needs: distinguishing between small towns and countryside in analyzing rural crime; and recognizing the significance of marked changes in the rural crime rate in recent years. One paper reports on two statewide rural surveys to investigate victimization in Texas and relates the attitudes and perceptions of rural residents toward crime in their areas. The second section on rural law enforcement points out the lack of awareness of rural changes and notes that rural problems are neglected by urban-oriented policymakers. The authors suggest greater involvement of rural citizens in crime prevention efforts to improve law enforcement. Specifically, papers describe a study of county sheriffs in 15 Southern and Southwestern States, the LEAA demonstration Deputy-Resident Trooper program, and a Michigan spouse abuse program. A section on rural courts examines judicial discretion and wide-ranging effects of the legal process, presenting operational models for rural courts, and questioning the ability of rural justice systems to offer pretrial services and to respond to the provision of counsel to indigents. In the section on corrections, one paper describes conditions in rural jails, and another advocates a new national small jail project. Two papers illustrate successful treatment programs, one in a local jail and the second in a regional corrections center. Tabular data and notes accompany individual articles.