Charlotte broker put on probation after 3rd DWI

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James Beaty, a broker with Charlotte-based Century 21 Murphy & Rudolph, has been placed on probation by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission after being convicted of driving while impaired.

Beaty pleaded guilty March 31 to the Mecklenburg County incident.

It’s not the first time the commission has punished him for DWIs. He was placed on probation following a DWI charge in June 2007 and one in July 1993. Beaty told The Mecklenburg Times that he was a broker during those years.

He’s still allowed to sell real estate under the terms of the probation. And he’s permitted to drive clients around, because he is not being required by the state to have a breath analyzer device installed in his vehicle at this time.

Beaty told The Mecklenburg Times that he reported the recent DWI to the commission.

“They gave me a two-year suspension but stayed that suspension since I have met all their requirements,” he said, adding that he had not had his license suspended as a result of the other two DWIs.

As a result of the recent DWI, Beaty was ordered by the court to serve 12 to 18 months in prison. That sentence was suspended, though, and, instead, he is serving a state-ordered 24 months of probation.

Beaty served seven days of jail time for the recent conviction. The judge also ordered Beaty to complete a substance abuse assessment, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and pay court costs.

The commission had initially decided to suspend Beaty’s license for two years beginning Dec. 1 and running to Nov. 30, 2013, but the suspension was stayed in exchange for Beaty meeting requirements from the commission, including that he complete court-ordered substance-abuse treatments, not serve as a broker-in-charge for two years and not violate the commission’s laws.

If he violates the terms of his probation, he could have his license suspended for two years.

Baughman can be reached at [email protected].