Chicago Attempted Murder Attorney

In Illinois, it is a crime to attempt to kill another person. What constitutes an attempt? Illinois law defines an “attempt” in 720 ILCS 5/8-4 as committing:

• “any act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that offense.”

When you commit this substantial step you must also have the intent to commit that specific offense. So, you can face charges for attempted murder when you have the specific intent to kill another person without lawful justification and take a substantial step in committing the crime. Planning a murder or simply gathering items to complete the murder will not be sufficient to satisfy the “substantial step” element of the crime.

The intent behind your behavior is incredibly important. There are many acts which, when committed, could be considered a “substantial step” toward killing another person. However, these acts may or may not be committed with the required intent to kill. Firing a weapon, stabbing, or administering poison could all be considered “substantial steps” in committing a murder.

But, if you shoot someone in the foot, stab them in the arm, or only administer enough poison to make them sick, those behaviors may not indicate that you have an intent to kill. These behaviors are still criminal acts, but may not rise to the level of attempted murder. On the other hand, pointing a gun at someone’s head or chest and pulling the trigger, thrusting a knife toward a vital organ, or administering enough poison to kill a horse would indicate an intent to kill.