Which of the following is an example of an inchoate crime?

• A. Murder
• B. Attempt
• C. Theft
• D. Burglary

Answer: (B)

Inchoate crimes are offenses that involve intent to commit a crime and taking steps toward it, even though the crime isn’t completed. The classic example is attempting to commit a crime: a person intends to do something unlawful and takes a substantial step toward carrying it out, but the harmful act itself isn’t finished.

This makes attempting the best choice because it shows the offender’s clear plan and action toward the crime without the crime’s completion. The other options describe offenses that are complete when the required act occurs: murder is the finished act of homicide, theft involves unlawfully taking property, and burglary hinges on unlawful entry with the intent to commit a felony. While those acts are illegal, they aren’t incomplete offenses in the same way as an attempt.