Two Types of Crimes

• There are two basic types of crimes: crimes against persons and crimes against property.
  
  

Crimes Against Persons

• Crimes against persons are crimes where the prohibited action is directed at a person. This includes murder, assault and robbery. Crimes against persons often carry the harshest penalties because a person is the victim and he is directly involved in the crime.
  
  

Crimes Against Property

• Crimes against property are crimes where the prohibited action damages property instead of a person. This includes crimes such as theft, arson and burglary.
  
  

Theft vs. Robbery vs. Burglary

• Theft and burglary are crimes against property. Theft occurs when your stuff is taken but you are not near it. Burglary occurs when someone breaks into your home and is a crime against property as well. Robbery occurs when your stuff is stolen from your person such as a purse snatching. Robbery is a crime against persons because the owner of the property is a direct victim to the crime.
  
  

Purpose of Criminal Law

• The body of criminal law is designed to control and shape the behaviors of the public and to punish people that fail to conform their behavior to the standards established by the law. Criminal law is intended to keep people safe from crime.