Crimes are sometimes broadly classified or categorized by their nature—such as (1) crimes that are harmful to the victim’s body (assault, battery, rape, and murder) and are known as crimes against the person; and (2) crimes that are harmful to the victim by depriving him of his property or damaging his property and are known as crimes against property (criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, arson).

In Arizona, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader legal tradition. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical harm or a threat of harm to individuals. These are considered very serious and are aggressively prosecuted, with penalties ranging from fines and probation to long-term imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the unlawful taking or damaging of another's property. The penalties for these crimes can also be severe and may include restitution, fines, and incarceration. Arizona law provides specific statutes that define each of these crimes and the associated penalties, which can be found in the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS). For instance, ARS Title 13, Chapter 11 outlines offenses against property, while Chapter 12 details offenses against the person. The exact punishment for any crime will depend on various factors, including the circumstances of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, and the presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors.