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 Louisiana, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broad classifications mentioned. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical harm or pose a direct threat to an individual's safety. These are covered under the Louisiana Criminal Code, with specific statutes detailing the elements and penalties for each offense. For example, battery is defined under Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:33, and murder under 14:30. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespass, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the unlawful taking or damaging of another's property. These crimes are also defined in the Louisiana Criminal Code, with statutes such as Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:62 for burglary and 14:67 for theft, specifying the legal framework for these offenses. Penalties for these crimes vary widely based on the severity of the offense, prior criminal history, and other factors. An attorney can provide specific guidance on the laws and potential defenses related to these crimes in Louisiana.