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 West Virginia (WV), crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader classification found in many 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 taken very seriously and are codified in the West Virginia Code under various sections, with penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to life sentences or even the death penalty for the most severe offenses like first-degree murder. On the other hand, crimes against property, including criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the unlawful taking or damaging of another's property. These crimes are also addressed in the West Virginia Code, and the penalties can vary widely depending on the severity of the crime, the value of the property involved, and other factors such as the use of a weapon or the presence of physical harm to a victim. Both categories of crimes are subject to state statutes that define the offenses and prescribe the punishments, and they are enforced by state and local law enforcement agencies.