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 Georgia, 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 offenses that cause physical harm or a threat of harm to individuals. These are taken very seriously and carry severe penalties. For example, Georgia law defines assault and battery in various degrees, with aggravated assault and aggravated battery being more serious offenses that can result in significant prison time. Rape is also severely punished, with the potential for life imprisonment in certain cases. Murder charges can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty in Georgia. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespass, burglary, robbery, theft, and arson, involve the unlawful taking or damaging of another's property. These crimes range in severity from misdemeanors (like simple trespass) to felonies (like armed robbery and arson), with penalties varying based on the value of the property involved and the circumstances of the crime. Georgia law also addresses white-collar crimes like bribery and blackmail, which can result in fines and imprisonment. The state statutes and the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) provide specific definitions and penalties for these offenses.