What differentiates criminal attempt from criminal conspiracy?

The distinction between criminal attempt and criminal conspiracy lies primarily in the nature of the actions involved. Criminal attempt refers to the effort to commit a crime, which demonstrates an individual taking direct action towards the commission of that crime, even if the crime ultimately does not occur. This means that an individual may have acted to bring about the result but, for some reason—such as being interrupted, ineffective actions, or lack of completion—a crime does not fully materialize.

On the other hand, criminal conspiracy is characterized by an agreement between two or more parties to engage in criminal conduct. The key element here is the mutual agreement and coordinated planning to commit a crime, even if no overt act towards the crime has been executed. While conspiracy can involve planning that eventually leads to an attempt or action, the emphasis lies on the collaborative agreement rather than the execution of any steps toward actually committing the crime.

Understanding this distinction highlights the fundamental legal concepts of action versus agreement. The correct answer highlights the essence of what defines each term within the penal code, clarifying their legal implications.