ATTEMPT TO ATTEMPT

attempt to attempt.A first step made toward a criminal attempt of some sort, such as a failed

effort to mail someone a note inciting that person to  engage in criminal conduct. • As a general

rule,  courts  do  not  recognize  an  attempt  to  commit  a  crime  that  is  itself  an  attempt.  But  some

jurisdictions recognize this offense, esp. when the attempted crime is defined to be an independent

substantive  crime.  For  example,  some  jurisdictions  recognize  an  attempted  assault  if  assault  is

defined as placing a person in apprehension of bodily injury (as opposed to being defined merely

as  an  attempted  battery).  In  this situation,  courts  have been  willing  to  punish conduct  that  falls

short  of  the  attempted  crime  but  constitutes  more  than  mere  preparation  to  commit  it.  See

attempted assault under ASSAULT.[Blacks Law 8th]