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 Minnesota, 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 cause physical harm or a threat of harm to individuals. These are covered under Minnesota statutes, with varying degrees of severity based on the act's nature and the harm inflicted. For example, assault can range from misdemeanor simple assault to felony first-degree assault depending on the circumstances. Similarly, murder is classified into degrees with first-degree murder being the most serious offense. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespass, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the taking of property, illegal entry into someone's premises, or damage to property. These crimes are also defined in Minnesota statutes with penalties that vary based on the value of the property involved and the manner in which the crime was committed. For instance, theft can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the stolen property, and burglary is categorized into first through fourth degree, with the first degree being the most serious. Both categories of crimes are taken seriously by the legal system in Minnesota, and individuals charged with such offenses may face significant legal consequences.