Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An attempt to attempt is when someone takes a first step towards committing a crime, but doesn't actually do the crime. For example, if someone tries to send a letter encouraging someone else to commit a crime, but the letter doesn't get sent, that's an attempt to attempt. Some places consider this a crime, especially if the crime they were trying to commit is already a crime. It's like trying to do something bad, but not getting far enough to actually do it.
An attempt to attempt is a first step towards a criminal attempt, such as a failed effort to incite someone to engage in criminal conduct. Some jurisdictions recognize this offense, especially when the attempted crime is defined as an independent substantive crime. For example, attempted assault can be recognized if assault is defined as placing a person in apprehension of bodily injury. In this situation, conduct that falls short of the attempted crime but constitutes more than mere preparation to commit it can be punished.
For instance, if someone tries to scare another person by threatening to harm them physically, it can be considered an attempt to commit assault. However, if someone only talks about harming someone else but does not take any action towards it, it cannot be considered an attempt to attempt.