Probable desistance

The probable desistance test in the United States is a criminal law approach to distinguishing conduct that constitutes the crime of attempt of a crime, from mere preparation to commit the crime. In United States v. Mandujano (1974) the court wrote that under the probable desistance test, "the conduct constitutes an attempt if, in the ordinary and natural course of events, without interruption from an outside source, it will result in the crime intended".