Impossibility as a defense is available in which scenario?

Impossibility as a defense is available in which scenario?

• A. A defense in all cases
• B. A defense only if inherently impossible
• C. Never a defense
• D. A defense if the defendant acted in good faith

Answer: (B)

Impossibility as a defense in this context hinges on whether the defendant’s conduct could never produce the prohibited result in any circumstances. The correct choice reflects that impossibility only applies when the act is inherently impossible to complete — that is, no matter what the defendant did, the crime could not be committed. If the impossibility is merely a mistaken belief about the facts (factual impossibility) or the situation could still allow a criminal outcome under the facts as they exist, it typically isn’t a defense. For example, attempting to murder someone who is already dead is inherently impossible to complete, so this form of impossibility can serve as a defense.

Impossibility as a defense in this context hinges on whether the defendant’s conduct could never produce the prohibited result in any circumstances. The correct choice reflects that impossibility only applies when the act is inherently impossible to complete — that is, no matter what the defendant did, the crime could not be committed. If the impossibility is merely a mistaken belief about the facts (factual impossibility) or the situation could still allow a criminal outcome under the facts as they exist, it typically isn’t a defense. For example, attempting to murder someone who is already dead is inherently impossible to complete, so this form of impossibility can serve as a defense.