Legal Definitions - crimes against the person

Crimes against the person refer to illegal acts that directly inflict physical, psychological, or emotional harm upon an individual, or threaten their personal liberty and safety. These offenses are characterized by their direct impact on a specific victim, rather than targeting property or public order in general.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Assault and Battery

  Imagine a situation where one person, during an argument, intentionally shoves another person to the ground, causing them to scrape their knee and bruise their arm. The act of shoving (assault) and the resulting physical contact and injury (battery) are direct harms inflicted upon the victim's body. This clearly falls under crimes against the person because it involves a direct physical attack causing injury to an individual.

• Example 2: Kidnapping

  Consider a scenario where an individual is forcibly taken from their home and held captive in an unknown location against their will for several days. This act deprives the victim of their freedom of movement and personal liberty, causing immense psychological distress and fear. Kidnapping is a crime against the person because it directly violates an individual's fundamental right to liberty and personal safety.

• Example 3: Domestic Violence

  A spouse repeatedly subjects their partner to physical abuse, such as hitting and punching, over a period of time, along with verbal threats and emotional manipulation. These actions inflict direct physical injury, emotional trauma, and psychological harm on the victim. Domestic violence is a prime example of a crime against the person because it involves a pattern of direct physical and emotional abuse targeting an individual, undermining their safety and well-being within a personal relationship.