DUI Lawyer Jacksonville - 2026 Trenton’s Law Defense

The end of 2025 marked a turning point in Florida’s fight against impaired driving. With the recent enactment of Trenton’s Law, the stakes for a DUI in Duval County have never been higher.


When JSO ramps up patrols throughout the holiday season—targeting hotspots from the Beaches to Downtown Jax—you need a defense that understands the new criminal landscape.


At the Law Office of Irvin Daphnis, we stay ahead of the latest legislative shifts to provide a defense that protects your freedom, your career, and your right to drive.

2026 Jacksonville DUI Defense: The New Legal Reality

If you were arrested during the 2025 year-end "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, your case is now moving into a legal environment that is more aggressive than ever.



In 2026, the State of Florida is no longer just targeting drunk drivers; it is strictly enforcing criminal penalties for those who refuse to cooperate with testing.

The "Trenton’s Law" Mandate: Refusal is a Crime

As of late 2025 and into 2026, "Implied Consent" has been given criminal teeth. If you are stopped by JSO and refuse a breath, urine, or blood test, you face an immediate criminal charge—regardless of whether you were actually impaired.


  • First-Time Refusal: Now a Second-Degree Misdemeanor. You can face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine just for the refusal itself.


  • Administrative Suspension: A refusal still triggers an automatic one-year license suspension. In 2026, the 10-day window to request a Formal Review Hearing remains your only chance to save your driving privileges.



  • Check the Warnings: In 2026, officers must read a specific criminal refusal warning. If JSO failed to follow this new protocol during your arrest, your refusal evidence may be inadmissible.


2026 Sentencing & Felony Enhancements

Florida has closed sentencing loopholes for repeat offenders. If you are facing a second or subsequent DUI, the 2026 penalties are life-altering:

Offense Type

1st DUI (Standard)

2nd DUI (within 5 yrs)

DUI Manslaughter (1st)

DUI Manslaughter (2nd+)

Potential Jail/Prison Time

Up to 6 Months

10 Days (Mandatory)

Up to 15 Years

Up to 30 Years (First-Degree Felony)

Maximum Fine

$1,000

$2,000

$10,000

$10,000

JSO High-Visibility Enforcement (Dec 2025 – May 2026)

JSO has secured over $113,000 in specialized grant funding to conduct high-visibility enforcement details across Duval County through May 2026.


These details are specifically focused on "high-traffic" and "high-injury" corridors where JSO aims to reduce fatalities as part of the city's Vision Zero goal.


Expect increased sobriety checkpoints and "wolf pack" patrols in:

  • Downtown Jacksonville & San Marco
  • The Beaches (Atlantic, Neptune, and Jax Beach)
  • Riverside & Avondale Nightlife Districts
  • Major Corridors: I-95, I-210, and Beach Blvd.


Protecting Your Future in 2026

Jacksonville Sheriff answers questions about viral traffic stop This video provides direct insight into how the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office handles public scrutiny and high-profile traffic incidents, illustrating the aggressive enforcement environment you may face in 2026.

Attorney Irvin Daphnis provides sophisticated, multilingual defense in English, French, and Haitian Creole. We don't just look at the breathalyzer results; we dismantle the prosecution's case by:


  1. Auditing 2026 JSO Bodycam Footage: Ensuring the officer followed the new "Trenton’s Law" warning requirements.
  2. Challenging Sobriety Checkpoint Legality: Verifying that checkpoints followed the strict constitutional "plan" required by Florida law.
  3. Analyzing 10-Day Rule Compliance: Fighting for your hardship license so you can continue to work and support your family while your case is pending.

[Don't start 2026 with a criminal record. Schedule your consultation now.]