Kentucky Criminal Law and Justice System Practice Test

Criminal attempt in Kentucky rests on intent plus an overt step toward carrying out the crime. A person must have a specific intent to commit a particular offense and must engage in conduct that would constitute the offense if the circumstances were as the person believes them to be. The conduct must go beyond mere preparation and amount to a substantial step toward the completion of the crime. The law punishes this attempt even if the offense is never finished, because the person has moved beyond planning and toward execution.

So, the idea that a completed crime defines criminal attempt isn’t accurate: completing the crime is a separate offense, while attempt requires a genuine move toward its completion with the requisite intent.