{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/criminal-offense","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/criminal-offense","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"criminal-offense","term":"Criminal offense","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A violation of the law that can lead to legal penalties. Certain criminal offenses can disqualify you from obtaining an SBA loan.","what_it_means":"The SBA has strict character requirements. If you have a recent \"Criminal offense,\" especially a felony or certain financial crimes, it can prevent you from getting an SBA loan. You must disclose all relevant history on SBA Form 1919. Lenders will conduct background checks as part of AML/KYC.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/criminal-offense","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"}],"related":[{"slug":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"slug":"aml-kyc-checks","term":"AML/KYC checks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/aml-kyc-checks"},{"slug":"felony","term":"Felony","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony"},{"slug":"debarred-from-federal-programs","term":"Debarred from federal programs","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/debarred-from-federal-programs"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a minor past criminal offense prevent me from getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-minor-past-criminal-offense-prevent-me-from-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What constitutes a 'serious criminal offense' that may cause 7(a) loan ineligibility for a principal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-constitutes-a-serious-criminal-offense-that-may-cause-7-a-loan-ineligibility-for-a-pr"},{"question":"What specific types of prior criminal offenses are generally disqualifying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-specific-types-of-prior-criminal-offenses-are-generally-disqualifying-for-an-sba-7-a-"},{"question":"What specific types of criminal offenses are generally disqualifying for an SBA 7(a) loan applicant or owner?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-types-of-criminal-offenses-are-generally-disqualifying-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-a"},{"question":"Can an arrest record without conviction for a minor offense affect my SBA 7(a) loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-arrest-record-without-conviction-for-a-minor-offense-affect-my-sba-7-a-loan-approva"},{"question":"Which criminal history issues commonly prevent SBA loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/which-criminal-history-issues-commonly-prevent-sba-loan-approval"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Criminal offense","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/criminal-offense","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}