以上兩個(gè)術(shù)語均用于指侵犯他人財(cái)產(chǎn)的犯罪，由于形式相似，以往有不少人錯(cuò)誤地將它們混淆為同一術(shù)語。實(shí)際在普通法中，它們有較明顯的差異：offense against property應(yīng)為“侵犯動(dòng)產(chǎn)罪”，是一傳統(tǒng)術(shù)語，其基本上只限于指針對(duì)動(dòng)產(chǎn)“personal property” 之犯罪行為，罪名包括有 larceny, embezzlement， cheating，cheating by false pretense，robbery，receiving stolen goods， malicious mischief，forgery, uttering forged 和 instruments[1]等。相比之下，crime against property則是較現(xiàn)代的用語，其范疇更廣， 除動(dòng)產(chǎn)之外，還包括了侵犯不動(dòng)產(chǎn)（real property)的犯罪行為， 故譯為“侵犯財(cái)產(chǎn)罪”，crime against property可包括諸如burglary， theft和arson等犯罪[2]，盡管arson可能導(dǎo)致人身傷害或死亡，但其仍被稱為“財(cái)產(chǎn)犯罪”（property crime)[3]。

[1]“ A crime against another's personal property. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1109, West Group (1999).

[2] "Although the term crime against property, a common term in modem usage, includes crimes against real property，the term offense against property is traditionally restricted to personal property. ” Id. at p. 1109.

[3]“Examples includes burglary, theft, and arson (even though arson may result in injury or death). ” Id. at p. 379.