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 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 aggressively prosecuted, often carrying severe penalties including imprisonment, fines, and restitution. For example, assault (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-5-3) and battery may be charged as simple or aggravated, depending on the circumstances, with aggravated offenses incurring harsher penalties. Rape, legally referred to as sexual assault in Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-2), has various degrees based on factors like the use of force or the victim's age. Murder charges (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-23-1) can range from first to second degree, with first-degree murder involving premeditation. On the other hand, 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 presence of aggravating factors such as the use of a weapon or the infliction of injury. Both categories of crimes are addressed under Rhode Island's criminal statutes, and the state's legal system provides for the prosecution and adjudication of these offenses. Victims may also seek civil remedies in some cases.