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 Missouri, crimes are classified into two broad categories: crimes against the person and crimes against property. Crimes against the person include offenses that cause physical harm or threaten to cause harm to individuals, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder. These crimes are taken very seriously and can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and a permanent criminal record. On the other hand, crimes against property involve the deprivation of property through theft, damage, or destruction. Examples include criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson. Missouri law provides specific statutes that define and prescribe punishments for each of these offenses, with penalties varying based on the severity of the crime, the value of the property involved, and the presence of aggravating factors. Both categories of crimes can be further divided into misdemeanors and felonies, with felonies carrying more severe consequences.