Canon 1328

Can. 1328 §1. One who has done or omitted something in order to commit a delict and yet, contrary to his or her intent, did not commit the delict is not bound by the penalty established for a completed delict unless the law or precept provides otherwise.

Can. 1328 §2. If the acts or omissions are by their nature conducive to the execution of the delict, however, the perpetrator can be subjected to a penance or penal remedy unless he or she spontaneously ceased from carrying out the delict that had been initiated. If scandal or some other grave harm or danger resulted, however, the perpetrator, even if he or she voluntarily desisted, can be punished with a just penalty, although one lesser than that established for a completed delict.