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 Rhode Island, 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, assault (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-3) can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity, and murder (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-23-1) is a felony that can result in life imprisonment. Crimes against property, such as criminal trespass (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-44-26), burglary (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-8-1), robbery (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-39-1), theft (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-41-1), and arson (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-4-2), involve the taking of property, damage to property, or unlawful entry with intent to commit a felony. These crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties varying based on the value of the property involved and the circumstances of the crime. Rhode Island statutes provide specific definitions and penalties for each of these offenses, reflecting the state's commitment to protecting both the personal safety and property of its residents.