What are the elements of the crime of attempt?

What are the elements of the crime of attempt?

• A. Intent to commit a specific offense.
• B. Actual completion of the offense.
• C. A mere plan without steps.
• D. Intent to commit a specific offense plus a substantial step toward committing the offense.

Answer: (D)

In attempt, you must show two elements: a specific intent to commit a particular offense and an action that moves beyond mere preparation toward actually carrying it out. The mental aim is the plan to commit the crime, while the substantial step is a concrete action that demonstrates you’ve crossed from thinking about it to working toward its completion. The law punishes this phase even if the crime itself isn’t completed, because the person has shown a clear intent and a tangible move toward execution. That’s why the option combining intent with a substantial step best fits the concept. Mere planning without steps isn’t enough, and actual completion is, by definition, not an attempt.

In attempt, you must show two elements: a specific intent to commit a particular offense and an action that moves beyond mere preparation toward actually carrying it out. The mental aim is the plan to commit the crime, while the substantial step is a concrete action that demonstrates you’ve crossed from thinking about it to working toward its completion. The law punishes this phase even if the crime itself isn’t completed, because the person has shown a clear intent and a tangible move toward execution. That’s why the option combining intent with a substantial step best fits the concept. Mere planning without steps isn’t enough, and actual completion is, by definition, not an attempt.