Wrong-way driver had valid license despite convictions

Jimmy Carracter in a 2006 police mugshot.
Jimmy Carracter in a 2006 police mugshot.
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Updated: 12/28/2012 6:24 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- Jimmy Carracter had a lengthy list of DUIs to his name long before crashing while driving the wrong way on I-95. Action News did some digging and found that he had four previous DUI charges, one landing him in jail for nearly a year.

So why, with multiple charges, was Carracter allowed back on the road with a driver's license in May 2012? Former DUI prosecutor Shannon Padgett says it's the law.

"It's legal, he is allowed to drive," she said.

Action News has learned, of Carracter's four charges, he was only convicted of driving under the influence twice. By law, it takes four convictions to lose your license for life.

"He has two prior convictions, he waits five years for the revocation to end," said Padgett. "He paid his dues to society."

And even if Carracter's license was revoked, Padgett insists a lack of a license will never stop a repeat offender from getting behind the wheel.

"They're going to drive anyway. It doesn't matter if they have a permanent revocation or a hardship license, they're simply going to get in a car and drive anyway, so really it makes no difference," said Padgett.

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