Under the Model Penal Code, abandonment is recognized as an affirmative defense when:

• A. Voluntary, complete, and preventing commission
• B. Involuntary and partial
• C. Voluntary but not preventing the commission
• D. Abandonment is not recognized at all

Answer: (A)

Abandonment is an affirmative defense to an attempt when the actor voluntarily and completely renounces the criminal purpose and takes steps to prevent the offense from being carried out. The key is that the renunciation must be truly voluntary (not coerced or prompted by fear of detection) and complete (the actor ceases all intent to complete the crime and actively prevents its execution).

For example, if someone planning a theft decides to back out, destroys the tools, and warns the intended victim, thereby ensuring the crime cannot occur, that would fit the defense. If the withdrawal is only partial, or occurs because the person fears getting caught rather than because they genuinely renounce the plan, or if they still intend to commit the crime later, the defense wouldn’t apply.