Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records are to be handed over to prosecutors following his March arrest under suspicion of driving under the influence, as per a ruling made by a judge on Tuesday morning in Stuart, Florida.
In a brief hearing at the Martin County circuit court, situated just north of Palm Beach County, Judge Darren Steele endorsed an arrangement between Woods’ legal representative and the prosecution.
The prosecution had subpoenaed records from a Palm Beach pharmacy detailing all prescription medications for the renowned golfer from the beginning of the year until the end of March. Woods’ attorney, Doug Duncan, initially argued for the golfer’s constitutional right to privacy regarding his prescriptions. However, during the hearing, he conceded that this right is not absolute and acknowledged that the prosecution could present a justified reason for needing these records.
In return, the prosecutors accepted Duncan’s plea for a protective order to ensure that the records are shared exclusively with prosecutors, law enforcement, state experts, and Woods’ defense team.
Woods has entered a not-guilty plea to the DUI charge. According to a sheriff’s report, deputies discovered two pain pills in his possession, and he appeared impaired after his SUV collided with a truck’s trailer and overturned.
The incident occurred while Woods was driving at high speeds on a residential road on Jupiter Island, where the speed limit is 30 mph (approximately 50 kph). His Land Rover caused $5,000 worth of damage to the truck, as noted in the incident report. Although Woods consented to a Breathalyzer test, which showed no trace of alcohol, he declined a urine test, officials reported.
