Which of the following best describes state crime?

State crime is best described as crimes committed by public officials, typically in their capacity as representatives of the government. This encompasses a wide range of illegal activities that involve the misuse of power or authority by governmental entities, such as corruption, human rights violations, war crimes, and other actions that may violate both domestic and international law. Understanding state crime is crucial for analyzing how authority and law intersect, particularly when those in power exploit their positions for personal or political gain.

The other choices describe different forms of crime that do not specifically relate to the actions of public officials or the state. Acts of violence among individuals pertain to interpersonal conflicts rather than state actions. Property crimes like theft focus on offenses against individuals or businesses unrelated to government actions. Crimes against societal norms refer to behaviors that violate accepted standards of behavior in society, which can be broader and less formal than those classified specifically as state crimes.