Under the Model Penal Code, what qualifies as a substantial step toward the target crime?

Study for the MBE Critical Pass Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Prepare thoroughly for your exam with detailed hints and explanations.

Under the Model Penal Code, liability for an attempt hinges on whether the actor has moved beyond planning into conduct that strongly suggests the crime will be completed. The test looks for a substantial step toward the target crime—an act that goes beyond mere preparation and is highly corroborative of the criminal purpose. This means actions that show real movement toward finishing the crime, such as steps to secure the necessary means, lying in wait, or reconnoitering the target location, qualify as a substantial step. A completed crime is not an attempt, and mere preparation—like collecting tools or making preliminary plans—usually does not meet the substantial-step requirement. In short, the correct idea is that an act beyond mere preparation that constitutes a substantial step toward the crime satisfies the MPC standard.