ILEA Criminal Law 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

For a charge of attempted murder, it is necessary to establish two critical elements: intent and a substantial step toward the commission of the murder. Intent refers to the individual's psychological state, demonstrating that they had a specific purpose or desire to kill. This mental state is crucial because it highlights that the accused had the purpose of bringing about the death of another person.

The requirement of a substantial step ensures that there is concrete action taken towards committing the murder, even if the act itself was not completed. This means that mere thoughts or plans are insufficient; there must be evidence that the person took significant actions that indicate they were on the brink of committing the crime. This could involve actions such as purchasing a weapon or making plans to carry out the act. Therefore, both elements combined create a viable basis for the charge of attempted murder, focusing on the seriousness of the intent alongside meaningful actions taken toward fulfilling that intent.