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 New Jersey, truancy laws are established to ensure that children attend school regularly, as education is considered a critical aspect of a child's development. The state's statutes regarding truancy are primarily found in the education code. When a student is habitually absent from school without a valid excuse, it is considered an act of truancy. New Jersey law requires school districts to establish attendance policies and to report students who are chronically absent to the appropriate authorities. The procedures for addressing truancy typically involve the school district first attempting to resolve the issue through intervention strategies. If these efforts fail, the matter may be referred to the court system. In court, the focus is on the best interest of the child, with the goal of resolving the underlying issues causing the truancy. The court may order various remedies, such as counseling, community service, or participation in a court-approved educational program. It is important to note that while truancy is treated as a civil matter, parents or guardians may also face consequences under New Jersey law if they contribute to their child's truancy.