Tiger Woods has faced another blow in his ongoing legal battle connected to his DUI charge and car accident on Jupiter Island, Florida, in March.
DUI Arrest
Woods was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence.
While he blew a zero on the breathalyzer test, he refused to submit a urine test.
During the arrest, Tiger was showing “several signs of impairment,” and police officers later found two white pills in his pockets after searching him. They were later identified as hydrocodone, a strong painkiller that can be extremely addictive.
Since then, Woods has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanors: driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Court Ruling
As of Tuesday, Florida prosecutors will get access to Woods’ prescription records for the ongoing case.
The allowance comes from the ruling of Martin County Circuit Court Judge Darren Steele, after a brief four-minute hearing.
While Tiger’s lawyer, Doug Duncan, fought against the release due to a constitutional right to privacy, he did concede that the prosecutors could make an argument as to why they needed access.
Additionally, he noted the right to privacy was not absolute.
Records Under Protective Order
Prosecutors issued a subpoena to gain the prescription medication records from January 1st to March 27th.
They are seeking information about the number of times prescriptions were filled, the number of pills given, dosages, and instructions given with the pills. This includes whether he is advised not to drive while on the medication.
The judge ruled these records would be handed over to prosecutors, though they had to agree to a protective order first. It states the information given can only be viewed by themselves, law enforcement officers, expert witnesses, and Woods’ defense team.
Duncan stated, “While the state is legally entitled to these records, the defendant still maintains a constitutional privacy interest in the prescription records as it pertains to the general public.”
Judge Steele later thanked both sides “for their professionalism and preparation” before granting the order.
The Car Accident
Tiger Woods made international news on March 27th, clipping the back of a truck and rolling his car. According to later reports, Woods was trying to pass the vehicle and did not realize it had slowed down.
After the crash, Woods was “limping and stumbling to the right.” He later told officers he took medication for pain in his back and legs.
His most recent announcement came on X, stating he was stepping back from golfing and seeking treatment.