Which statement correctly describes a criminal attempt?

Which statement correctly describes a criminal attempt?

• A. Involves encouraging or requesting someone to commit a crime.
• B. Requires the crime to be completed.
• C. Involves taking substantial steps toward committing a crime.
• D. Is the same as a completed crime.

Answer: (C)

The key idea being tested is that criminal attempt requires a substantial step toward the crime, with the intent to complete it. In Kentucky law, a person must intend to commit the offense and then take actions that go beyond mere planning or preparation, showing a real move toward finishing the crime. The substantial-step standard is meant to capture acts that are close enough to completion to demonstrate criminal purpose, even though the crime is not actually completed. For example, buying a weapon and lying in wait or approaching a location to commit the offense would be a substantial step. Merely thinking about the crime, discussing it, or encouraging someone else to commit it falls short of an attempt and is not enough. Likewise, attempting is not the same as a completed crime—an attempt exists when the offender has taken a substantial step but the crime itself has not been completed.

The key idea being tested is that criminal attempt requires a substantial step toward the crime, with the intent to complete it. In Kentucky law, a person must intend to commit the offense and then take actions that go beyond mere planning or preparation, showing a real move toward finishing the crime. The substantial-step standard is meant to capture acts that are close enough to completion to demonstrate criminal purpose, even though the crime is not actually completed. For example, buying a weapon and lying in wait or approaching a location to commit the offense would be a substantial step. Merely thinking about the crime, discussing it, or encouraging someone else to commit it falls short of an attempt and is not enough. Likewise, attempting is not the same as a completed crime—an attempt exists when the offender has taken a substantial step but the crime itself has not been completed.