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Simple English definitions for legal terms
attempt
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A quick definition of attempt:
An attempt is when someone tries to do something illegal, even if they don't finish it. They can still be charged with the crime they tried to commit. To prove an attempt, the person must have gone beyond just thinking about it or preparing for it. In some places, they must have intended to commit the crime and had the ability to do it right away. In other places, they only need to have taken a big enough step towards committing the crime to show their intent. For example, buying a gun and practicing shooting could be enough to show an attempt to assault someone.
A more thorough explanation:
An attempt is when someone tries to commit a crime but doesn't succeed. Even if they don't finish the crime, they can still be charged with an attempt. This is called an inchoate offense. To be found guilty of an attempted crime, the person must have crossed the line from just thinking about it to taking some kind of action towards committing the crime.
The requirements for proving an attempt vary depending on the laws of the jurisdiction. In some places, the person must have had a specific intent to commit the crime and had the power to do it almost immediately. In other places, a "substantial step" towards the crime is enough to prove an attempt.
For example, in People v. Rizzo, a group of men planned to rob someone but never found the person. They couldn't be found guilty of attempted robbery because they didn't take any action towards the crime. On the other hand, in State v. Lammersthe, a person who bought an assault rifle and practiced shooting with it was found guilty of attempted first degree assault because this was a substantial step towards committing the crime.
Attempts can be completed or incomplete. It's important to remember that even if someone doesn't finish a crime, they can still be held accountable for trying to commit it.