Deviant behavior is any behavior that

A) violates the law.
B) violates formal norms.
C) is considered deviant by public consensus,which may range from maximum to minimum.
D) is considered deviant by the police and officials of society,which may range from high to low.

Deviant behavior can encompass a broad range of actions that do not necessarily violate the law or formal norms. Instead, deviance is often defined by public consensus, which can vary depending on cultural, social, and historical factors. Some behaviors may be considered highly deviant in one context but relatively normative in another. Therefore, choice C is the best answer since it captures this variability and the importance of social perceptions in defining deviance.