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 Tennessee, 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 considered very serious and are aggressively prosecuted, with penalties ranging from fines and probation to long-term imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime. For example, murder can be charged as first-degree murder, with the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty in the most severe cases. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the taking of property, damage to property, or interference with another person's property rights. These crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution, and imprisonment. The specific statutes governing these crimes can be found in the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), which provides detailed definitions, classifications, and penalties for each offense.