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 Nebraska, truancy laws are primarily governed by state statutes that focus on ensuring school attendance and addressing excessive unexcused absences. Under Nebraska law, a child who is absent for more than twenty days per year without an acceptable excuse may be considered truant. The state's statutes require school districts to report cases of excessive absenteeism to the county attorney. The legal process for addressing truancy typically involves collaboration between schools, families, and the courts to identify the underlying causes of a child's absenteeism and to develop a plan to improve attendance. This may include interventions such as educational counseling, community service, or other court-ordered requirements. The aim is to serve the best interest of the child, with the courts acting in a civil capacity rather than criminal. The specific procedures and interventions are outlined in Nebraska's education code and other relevant statutes.