A crime that has not been completed may be charged as an attempt. If charged by the judge, attempt may be considered by the jury as a lesser included offense. Can a person be charged with attempting a crime whose elements already include attempt?
One example: the language of Resisting Arrest prohibits conduct that “intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent.” (Attempt language also appears in the crimes of Obstructing governmental administration, Jostling, Tampering with a witness, and Intimidating a witness.)
Case law holds that attempting to an attempt may not be charged. People v Jelke, 1 NY2d 321, 152 NYS2d 479, 135 NE2d 213 (1956).
Lesser included offense
The issue may be important for whether a charge down to a lesser included offense at trial is appropriate. Since the attempt crime comes within the crime itself, a lesser included offense is inappropriate. People v Frankel, 129 Misc2d 95, 492 NYSd 671 (City Crim Ct 1985).
Denial of jury trial
The issue may also be important with regards to the right of a jury trial downstate. In New York City, a person charged with a class B misdemeanor is not entitled to a jury trial. See CPL 340.40(2).
A prosecutor’s reducing of a class A misdemeanor to a class B misdemeanor, is improper, where the higher offense includes attempt within its elements. People v Lupinos, 176 Misc2d 852, 674 NYS2d 582 (City Crim Ct 1998); People v Schmidt, 76 Misc2d 976, 352 NYS2d 399 (City Crim Ct 1974); People v Howlett, 76 Misc2d 801, 351 NYS2d 289 (App Term Ct 1973).
Guilty plea
Attempting to attempt is improper for the purpose of prosecuting a case, but it is proper for a plea. A person may plead guilty to a hypothetical crime, including attempting to attempt. People v Daniels, 237 AD2d 298, 654 NYS2d 799 (2d Dept 1997).
Gary Muldoon is a member of the Assigned Counsel panel in Monroe County author of Handling a Criminal Case in New York (West Group 2006). Call 1-800-328-4880 or contact the West Group website at www.west.thomson.com. Cost of the soft cover edition is $241.00.
Criminal Law Slanguage of New York, Third Edition, by G. Edward Murray and Gary Muldoon, is published by LexisNexis Publications. Price: $19.00. Contact www.lexis.com.
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