Jacksonville Criminal Immigration Lawyer: Protecting Your Future and Your Family

A criminal arrest in Florida is a serious matter for anyone, but for a non-citizen, it is a life-altering crisis. In 2026, the line between the local jail and federal immigration detention has become almost non-existent. At the Law Office of Irvin Daphnis, we specialize in the complex overlap of criminal and immigration law to ensure that a mistake or a misunderstanding doesn't lead to a permanent separation from your home.

Why Your Choice of Attorney Matters Right Now

In Florida, many standard "plea deals" that a typical criminal lawyer might recommend can be a death sentence for your immigration status. If your attorney doesn't understand the "crimmigration" consequences of a specific charge, you could unknowingly agree to:


  • Automatic Deportation: Certain "Aggravated Felonies" trigger mandatory removal with no chance for a judge to help.


  • Permanent Inadmissibility: You may be barred from ever re-entering the U.S. or obtaining a Green Card.


  • Denial of Citizenship: Even minor "Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude" (CIMT) can ruin your "Good Moral Character" requirement for naturalization.


Specific Challenges for Immigrants in Florida (2026)

Florida’s legal landscape has changed. With the implementation of enhanced state-level immigration enforcement, non-citizens face unique risks:


  • Immigration Detainers (ICE Holds): We fight to prevent the transfer from local custody in Duval, Clay, or St. Johns County to ICE facilities.


  • Mandatory Detention: Recent laws have restricted bond eligibility for unauthorized individuals charged with certain state crimes.


  • Sentencing Enhancements: Crimes committed by unauthorized individuals can now carry harsher penalties than the same crimes committed by citizens.


Our Defense Strategies: The "Irvin Daphnis Advantage"

As a firm that practices both Criminal Defense and Immigration Law, Irvin Daphnis provides a holistic defense that most firms cannot. We don't just look at the jail time; we look at your visa.


  1. Immigration-Safe Plea Bargaining: We negotiate with prosecutors to modify the language of a charge or the length of a sentence so it does not trigger federal deportation.
  2. Post-Conviction Relief: If you already have a conviction on your record that is causing immigration trouble, we can file motions to vacate that conviction based on ineffective counsel or legal errors.
  3. Bond & Detention Advocacy: We move quickly to secure your release before an ICE detainer can be processed, keeping you with your family while your case is pending.
  4. Trilingual Representation: We provide services in English, French and Haitian Creole, ensuring you understand every detail of your defense in your native language.


Don’t Wait Until ICE Is Involved

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Jacksonville, the clock is ticking. Information moves from local police to federal databases in minutes.

Contact Irvin Daphnis today at 904-934-2210 for a confidential consultation. We will review your charges and your immigration history to build a shield around your future.