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 York State, 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 addressed under various sections of the New York Penal Law. For example, assault ranges from simple assault (Penal Law Section 120.00) to more severe forms like aggravated assault (Penal Law Section 120.06 and above). Rape and related sex offenses are covered under Penal Law Article 130, while homicide offenses, including murder, are detailed in Penal Law Article 125. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespass (Penal Law Section 140.05 and above), burglary (Penal Law Section 140.20 and above), robbery (Penal Law Section 160.00 and above), larceny/theft (Penal Law Article 155), and arson (Penal Law Article 150), are also well-defined within the state's penal code. Each category of crime carries specific legal definitions and a range of potential penalties, which can vary based on the severity of the crime, the circumstances under which it was committed, and the presence of any aggravating factors.