What are the act and mental-state requirements for the inchoate offense of attempt?

• A. An act with no intent.
• B. Mere preparation.
• C. An act with specific intent to commit a crime that constitutes an overt or substantial step toward the crime but falls short of completion.
• D. Completed crime.

Answer: (C)

In an attempted crime, liability hinges on both a mental state and an act. You must have the specific intent to bring about the criminal result, and you must take a step toward completing the crime that is more than mere planning or preparation. The act must be something that shows you are moving from thought to action and strongly corroborates your criminal purpose.

The correct idea captures both pieces: you intend to commit the crime and you perform an act that is an overt or substantial step toward its completion, but you don’t actually finish the crime. This distinguishes attempt from mere preparation (which isn’t enough) and from a completed crime (which ends the liability at attempt and becomes the actual offense).