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 Massachusetts, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader legal principles. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical or psychological harm to individuals. These are taken very seriously and carry various penalties depending on the severity of the crime. For example, assault and battery can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with increased penalties if the victim is a child, elderly, or pregnant, or if the perpetrator is known to the victim. Rape is a felony with severe penalties, including imprisonment and registration as a sex offender. Murder charges can range from first-degree, which is premeditated, to second-degree, which is not, with life imprisonment often being the penalty for a conviction. Crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the deprivation or damage to someone's property. These crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution, and imprisonment. The severity of the punishment typically correlates with the value of the property involved and the circumstances of the crime. Massachusetts law provides specific statutes for each of these crimes, outlining the elements that must be proven for a conviction and the associated penalties.