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 New Mexico, 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 inflict physical harm or threaten to do so. These are considered very serious and carry significant penalties. For example, New Mexico Statutes Chapter 30 outlines various degrees of these crimes, with first-degree murder being the most severe, potentially resulting in life imprisonment or even the death penalty under certain circumstances. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve taking or damaging someone's property. These crimes are also detailed in New Mexico Statutes Chapter 30, with penalties varying based on the severity of the offense, the value of the property involved, and other factors. For instance, burglary can range from a fourth-degree felony to a second-degree felony, depending on whether it was a residential or commercial burglary and whether a weapon was involved.