Legal Definitions - indispensable-element test

The indispensable-element test is a legal test used in criminal law to determine if a person has attempted to commit a crime. The test is based on whether the person has acquired control over something that is essential to the crime.

For example, if a person buys explosives to detonate a bomb, they have acquired control over an essential element of the crime. This would be considered an attempt to commit the crime.

The indispensable-element test is used to determine if a person has taken a substantial step towards committing a crime, even if the crime was not completed.

Other examples of the indispensable-element test include a person buying a gun to commit murder or purchasing drugs to sell them.

Overall, the indispensable-element test is an important tool in criminal law to determine if a person has attempted to commit a crime by acquiring control over an essential element of the crime.