Tiger Woods has been ordered to hand over his prescription drug records to prosecutors following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in March. A judge in Martin County, Florida, approved an agreement between Woods' defense attorney and prosecutors during a brief hearing on Tuesday.
Court Hearing Details
Judge Darren Steele presided over the four-minute hearing in Martin County circuit court, just north of Palm Beach County. The agreement allows prosecutors to obtain Woods' prescription medication records from a Palm Beach pharmacy, covering the period from January 1 to March 31 of this year.
Defense attorney Doug Duncan had previously argued that Woods had a constitutional right to privacy regarding his medications. However, during the hearing, he conceded that this right is not absolute and that prosecutors could present a compelling case for the necessity of the records.
Protective Order Granted
In exchange for the release of the records, prosecutors agreed to Duncan's request for a protective order. This order limits the dissemination of the sensitive records exclusively to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, state experts, and Woods' defense team, ensuring that the information remains confidential.
Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge. According to a sheriff's office report, deputies found two pain pills in his pocket, and he displayed signs of impairment after his SUV collided with a truck's trailer and overturned.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Jupiter Island, a beachside residential area with a speed limit of 30 mph (approximately 50 kph). Woods was traveling at excessive speeds when his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck. Authorities stated that Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol, but he refused a urine test.
As a result of the arrest and subsequent legal proceedings, Woods missed last month's Masters at Augusta National, where Rory McIlroy successfully defended his title. He is also expected to miss the PGA Championship, which begins on Thursday at Aronimink, with Scottie Scheffler aiming to defend his crown.
