A history of the rationale for intervention with juveniles is provided, general justifications for a minimal intervention policy are offered, and contemporary proposals for change that emanate from those justifications are presented. 'Rural' is defined, difficulties in obtaining rural crime statistics are noted, and the lack of scholarly literature on rural delinquency is indicated. Attention focuses on the characteristics of rural delinquents; for example, they commit less serious offenses than their urban counterparts and have stronger family ties. Discrete rural elements that affect delinquency are identified, and justifications for a policy of restrained intervention are applied to the rural environment. A survey undertaken in South Dakota in 1976 to obtain data on agency disposition of juvenile offenders and to identify police procedures for handling juveniles is reported. Legal issues associated with police contact with youths and the rights of juveniles who encounter law enforcement officers are presented. Finally, recommendations for reforming South Dakota's code provisions dealing with police-juvenile contacts and for training law enforcement personnel so that they are better acquainted with the juvenile justice system are presented. Thirty-five tables and approximately 500 references are included. Appendixes contain the Chicago Police Department's manual of procedure for its Youth Division and the Brookings Police Department Policy on juveniles.