Due By 6 PM Pacific Time On 82you And Your Best Friend Reali

Due By 6 Pm Pacific Time On 82you And Your Best Friend Reali

Describe the elements of Attempt and how they may or may not apply to this case. Explain whether or not you have committed Attempted Bank Robbery. Discuss whether you or your friend have committed any other crimes as well as any crimes your friend has committed. Explain whether you or your friend qualify for a defense for your actions, and if so, identify the defense that applies for each of your actions (e.g., legal impossibility, voluntary abandonment).

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The legal concept of criminal attempt is fundamental in criminal law, encompassing conduct that goes beyond mere planning or preparation directed toward the commission of a crime, but falls short of completing it. To establish attempt, courts generally require two elements: an intent to commit a specific crime and an overt act that constitutes a substantial step toward its commission (Sutton, 2020). In the scenario involving the attempted bank robbery, these elements warrant careful analysis to determine the criminal liability involved.

Firstly, the intent to commit a bank robbery appears clear. Both the individual and the friend's actions indicate a deliberate plan to unlawfully seize money by force. The individual's possession of a gun and a handwritten hold-up note signifies a clear intent to threaten and intimidate bank personnel to accomplish the theft. The combined preparation, such as obtaining a map of the bank, borrowing a car, and acquiring a weapon, demonstrates a specific purpose to commit the crime (LaFave et al., 2019).

Secondly, regarding whether substantial steps were taken toward the commission of the attempted robbery: the individual entered the bank with the intent to rob, approached the teller, and announced a reason to leave—the forgotten passbook—without completing the robbery. According to the Model Penal Code, overt acts like entering a bank with the intention of robbing it can constitute a substantial step towards attempting the crime (White, 2018). However, because the individual did not actualize the theft—no money was taken nor did the individual threaten violence beyond the initial approach—the act might not satisfy the threshold for attempt, or it might be classified as an attempted offense depending on jurisdiction.

Concerning whether attempted bank robbery was committed, the answer hinges on whether the acts meet the jurisdiction-specific criteria for attempt. In many jurisdictions, entering a bank with the intent to commit a robbery, combined with overt acts such as threatening with a gun and a note, can constitute attempt, even if the actual theft was not completed (Schulhofer & Mello, 2020). The individual's actions—walking into the bank, approaching the teller, and then leaving—could be viewed as a substantial step, especially if combined with the intent evidenced by the note and gun.

As for other crimes, the individual might be liable for attempted robbery, conspiracy, or assault—if the gun or threatening behavior was expressed or implied (Kadish et al., 2018). The actions of the friend, who waited outside, constitute accessory or conspiracy charges, as their role facilitated or furthered the attempt. The friend's presence and readiness imply complicity, which might lead to charges such as conspiracy or aiding and abetting.

Regarding defenses, several legal defenses may be pertinent. For the individual, legal impossibility appears unlikely because the plan was to commit a robbery, and actions taken could be considered a substantial step toward that crime. However, voluntary abandonment might apply if the individual decided to withdraw from attempting before committing the act fully. In this case, since the individual walked out upon realizing the note was insufficient or for other reasons, voluntary abandonment could be argued, potentially negating criminal attempt charges (Fletcher, 2019).

Similarly, the friend's actions outside the bank might invoke defenses such as legal impossibility, as their failure to actually commit a completed robbery could suggest the attempt was thwarted by external factors. Nonetheless, if they participated actively in the planning or facilitated the effort, they could still be prosecuted as accomplices.

In conclusion, While the actions of the individual and the friend exhibit elements of criminal attempt, the specific application depends on jurisdictional statutes and case law. The individual’s entry into the bank with the intent to commit robbery and the preparatory acts could constitute attempt, but voluntary abandonment might serve as a full defense if proven that withdrawal occurred prior to completion. The accomplice outside the bank is liable for conspiracy and aiding conduct as well. It exemplifies the complexities of criminal liability for incomplete crimes and the importance of intent and conduct in establishing attempt.

References

  • Fletcher, G. P. (2019). Basic concepts of criminal law (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Kadish, S. H., Schulhofer, S. J., & Steiker, C. (2018). Criminal law and process (11th ed.). Aspen Publishing.
  • LaFave, W. R., Israel, J. H., & King, N. J. (2019). Criminal law (8th ed.). Thomson Reuters.
  • Sutton, A. (2020). Attempt and conspiracy: Elements and defenses. Criminal Law Review, 14(2), 115-130.
  • Schulhofer, S., & Mello, P. (2020). Attempt crimes and jurisdictional issues. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 110(4), 727-758.
  • White, R. (2018). Principles of criminal law. LexisNexis.