What is the term for the act of attempting to commit a criminal act?

The term that describes the act of attempting to commit a criminal act is referred to as a preliminary offence. This concept encompasses various actions taken before the actual commission of a crime, indicating intentions to perpetrate an unlawful act. It includes behaviors such as planning or preparation that have not yet culminated in the full execution of the crime itself.

In this context, conspiracy, while closely related, typically refers specifically to an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime in the future rather than the act of attempting a crime directly. An accessory before the fact, on the other hand, is someone who assists in a crime before it is committed, while an accessory after the fact refers to someone who helps a person who has committed a crime to evade arrest, trial, or conviction. Therefore, while these terms may relate to criminal behavior, "preliminary offence" specifically captures the essence of attempting to commit a criminal act.