A truant is a student who stays away from school without permission or an explanation. Truancy laws are designed to encourage school attendance by creating simple court procedures through which children are held accountable for excessive school absences. The courts focus on the best interest of the child when addressing the truant conduct of a child.

Truant conduct is usually prosecuted or addressed as a civil (noncriminal) matter, and the definition and procedures for dealing with truancy are usually located in a state's statutes—often in the family code or education code.

In Arkansas, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly and to hold them accountable for excessive unexcused absences. Under Arkansas law, a child is required to attend school from age 5 to 18. Truancy is addressed primarily through the Arkansas Juvenile Code and the Arkansas Compulsory Attendance Law. When a student has unexcused absences that are considered excessive, the school is typically required to notify the parents and take steps to address the issue. If the problem persists, the matter may be referred to the juvenile court system. The courts then focus on the best interest of the child, which may involve interventions such as truancy prevention programs, counseling, or community service. In some cases, parents or guardians may also be held responsible for their child's truancy and face legal consequences. The goal of these laws and procedures is to correct the truant behavior and ensure the child receives an education, rather than to punish the child.