Which of the following statements aligns with classical criminological theories regarding crime?

The statement that aligns with classical criminological theories regarding crime is that crime is viewed as opportunistic and normal. Classical criminology, which emerged during the 18th century with theorists like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, posits that individuals have free will and make rational choices based on the potential pleasure versus pain outcomes of their actions.

This perspective suggests that crime is a natural part of the human condition and that people will engage in criminal acts when they perceive that the benefits outweigh the risks involved. Thus, crime is not viewed as an unusual or rare occurrence but rather as something that can happen under the right circumstances, making it opportunistic and a regular element of society.

The other options do not reflect this classical view; crime being considered rare or solely caused by economic factors suggests a limited understanding of the factors influencing criminal behavior, while the idea that crime is exclusively premeditated contradicts the notion of opportunism present in classical theories, which acknowledges that not all crimes are planned or deliberate.