What is the definition of a criminal attempt?

A criminal attempt is defined as a substantial step toward the commission of a crime, which means that an individual has taken significant actions that indicate a clear intention to commit an offense, even though the crime has not yet been completed. This concept is crucial in criminal law because it recognizes that the intent to commit a crime, paired with actions directly demonstrating that intent, can warrant prosecution, even if the ultimate crime does not occur.

The substantial step requirement helps to differentiate between mere thoughts or intentions and actual efforts to engage in criminal behavior. This ensures that individuals who actively seek to commit crimes are held accountable for their actions, even if they do not succeed in completing the crime.

In contrast, the other options describe situations that do not constitute a criminal attempt. For instance, mere intention to commit a crime does not correlate with any overt action taken toward that goal, while actions taken after a crime has been committed would fall outside the definition of an attempt. Lastly, a legal action against someone for a crime refers to the judicial process rather than the preparatory actions taken before a crime occurs.