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 Texas, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader classification of crimes against the person and crimes against property. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, sexual assault (rape), and homicide (murder), are offenses that cause physical or psychological harm to individuals. These are covered under the Texas Penal Code, with specific statutes detailing the elements and penalties for each offense. For example, assault can range from a Class C misdemeanor for threatening harm to a first-degree felony for serious bodily injury to a public servant. Crimes against property, including criminal trespass, burglary, robbery, theft, arson, and others, involve the taking of property, illegal entry into someone's premises, or damage to property. These crimes are also defined in the Texas Penal Code, with penalties varying based on the severity of the crime and the value of the property involved. For instance, theft is graded from a Class C misdemeanor for property less than $100 to a first-degree felony for property valued at $300,000 or more. Both categories of crimes carry serious legal consequences and can result in fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record.
