Delaware Code

11 Del. C. § 541 (2026)

Criminal solicitation, conspiracy, attempt to commit a crime; defense of renunciation

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) In any prosecution for criminal solicitation or conspiracy in which the crime solicited or the crime contemplated by the conspiracy was not in fact committed, it is an affirmative defense that, under circumstances manifesting a voluntary and complete renunciation of the criminal purpose, the accused prevented the commission of the crime.

(b) In any prosecution for an attempt to commit a crime it is an affirmative defense that, under circumstances manifesting a voluntary and complete renunciation of the criminal purpose, the accused avoided the commission of the crime attempted by abandoning the criminal effort and, if mere abandonment was insufficient to accomplish avoidance, by taking further and affirmative steps which prevented the commission of the crime attempted.

(c) A renunciation is not “voluntary and complete” within the meaning of this section if it is motivated in whole or in part by:

(1) A belief that circumstances exist which increase the probability of detection or apprehension of the accused or another participant in the criminal enterprise, or which render more difficult the accomplishment of the criminal purpose; or

(2) A decision to postpone the criminal conduct until another time or to transfer the criminal effort to another victim or another but similar objective.

1 Del. C. 1953, § 541; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1;

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2008–2025 · leading case: Harris v. Phelps, 550 F. Supp. 2d 551 (D. Del. 2008).

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Harris v. Phelps, 550 F. Supp. 2d 551 (D. Del. 2008). · cites it 2× “11 Del. C. Ann. § 541(b). However, a renunciation is not “voluntary and complete” .”

Grimes v. State (Del. 2020). “§ 2701(c); 11 Del. C. § 541. 8 NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the judgment of the Superior Court is AFFIRMED.”

Weber v. May (D. Del. 2022). “Pursuant to 11 Del. Code § 541, “it is an affirmative defense that, under circumstances manifesting a voluntaty and complete renunciation of the criminal purpose, the accused avoided the commission of the crime attempted by abandoning the criminal effort and, if mere abandonment…”

Henry v. State (Del. 2025). “30, 2012) (under 11 Del. C. § 541 and § 273, even though the defendant told his co-conspirators that they were robbing the wrong house, the defendant did not renounce 10 himself from Latham-Purnell in the parking lot, firing in the opposite direction, and walking “partway down…”

— 11 Del. C. § 541(b) — 1 case

Harris v. Phelps, 550 F. Supp. 2d 551 (D. Del. 2008). “11 Del. C. Ann. § 541(b). However, a renunciation is not “voluntary and complete” .”

— 11 Del. C. § 541(c)(1) — 1 case

Harris v. Phelps, 550 F. Supp. 2d 551 (D. Del. 2008). “11 Del. C. Ann. § 541(b). However, a renunciation is not “voluntary and complete” .”

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