What constitutes an "Attempt" in criminal law?

In criminal law, an "attempt" is defined by the presence of a substantial step towards the commission of an offense. This means that the individual has taken concrete actions that demonstrate a clear intention to commit a crime, rather than merely thinking about it or planning without taking any action.

For example, if someone decides to steal a car and actually breaks into the car, that individual has taken a substantial step towards committing the crime of theft, even if they are ultimately unsuccessful in completing the act. This concept is crucial in law because it establishes liability even when a crime is not fully realized, focusing on the willingness and effort to commit an unlawful act.

In contrast, options that describe only verbal intentions or mere planning without action do not meet the threshold for an attempt, as they lack the necessary movement towards completing a criminal act. Similarly, an unsuccessful crime would imply that an attempt was made, but it doesn't define what constitutes an attempt itself. Thus, recognizing a substantial step as the key element distinguishes between mere thoughts or plans and actual criminal intention manifested through actions.