Attempted crime is contrasted with mere preparation and it is argued that the fact that the intent is not carried out because of luck, chance, or misjudgment does not diminish culpability. Issues discussed include criminal punishment for attempted versus completed crimes and for abandoned versus unsuccessful crimes. It is suggested that a sentencing system should ensure that the proper moral and social distinctions are reflected in a sentence, especially the difference between complete and incomplete attempts and that minor crimes should be dealt with by using a non-criminal sanction. Any future revision of the Model Penal Code should explore in an unbiased way the relative merits of the ranking of harms and the role of the general part of the criminal law. 184 footnotes.