Attempted murder is more than just planning to kill someone. The person who is charged with attempted murder acted in such a way that it was obvious he or she had very little regard for the human life. While acting in this manner, they intentionally tried to kill someone. Reckless and deliberate behaviors are hallmarks of attempted murder. It has to be proven in court that the guilty person’s actions brought them extremely close to actually committing the murder. In England, the mere attempt on someone’s life is an offense under a 1981 act that also deems that attempted murder has a maximum penalty of life in prison. In the United States, a good example of attempted murder would be firing a shot at someone, but not hitting the person with the bullet. Though people have tried to get a person who pointed a gun at them for attempted murder, this act does not constitute a murder attempt.