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 Hampshire, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the general classifications found in most jurisdictions. 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 considered very serious and are codified in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), particularly in Title LXII - Criminal Code. For example, assault and related offenses are covered under RSA 631, while sexual assault and related offenses are under RSA 632-A. Homicide, including murder, is addressed in RSA 630. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, theft, arson, and related offenses, involve the taking of property, damage to property, or interference with another person's property rights. These are also detailed in the New Hampshire Criminal Code, with theft and related offenses under RSA 637, burglary under RSA 635, and arson under RSA 634. Both categories of crimes carry penalties that can range from fines and restitution to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the crime.