Define, compare, and contrast the various approaches to the actus reus of attempt. Provide an example of each. Which do you think is the best? Be sure to explain your position

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The actus reus of attempt is an action that goes beyond mere preparation but is less than completing the crime. How much action is required to make a person guilty of an attempt crime is hotly debated, and there are a number of different approaches. A proximity approach focuses on how close the defendant gets to completing the crime. An unequivocality approach focuses on whether the defendant got far enough along that stopping is unlikely. The Model Penal Code test requires that the defendant has taken substantial steps and that such steps strongly corroborate the actor's criminal intent.