Court documents indicate Tiger Woods to alter plea in Florida impairment case
The golf legend is scheduled to appear before Martin County circuit court to change his previous not guilty plea, following a March rollover crash on Jupiter Island where deputies noted signs of impairment despite a negative breathalyser result.
Court documents filed on Tuesday indicate that Tiger Woods intends to change his not guilty plea in a driving under the influence case arising from a rollover crash in Florida. The golfer is scheduled to appear in Martin County circuit court on Wednesday morning for a plea conference hearing, according to a notice posted by the court.
The incident occurred in March when Woods’ Land Rover clipped a truck on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island, causing the vehicle to roll onto its side. The collision resulted in approximately $5,000 in damage to the truck. Woods was travelling at high speeds in a zone with a 30 mph (nearly 50 kph) limit and told a deputy he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station at the time of the impact.
While a breathalyser test showed no signs of alcohol, Woods refused a subsequent urine test. Deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and noted signs of impairment, leading to his arrest. No additional details regarding the specific nature of the plea change have been released, leaving the final resolution of the case uncertain.
Woods, 50, has taken a leave from the golf tour following the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play. He has travelled outside the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient facility. His legal team, represented by attorney Doug Duncan, and the State Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.
Judge Darren Steele has previously authorised agreements allowing prosecutors access to Woods’ medical and prescription medication records to aid the proceedings. In July, the judge approved access to medical records related to the crash and arrest, following a similar agreement in May that granted access to prescription records from a Palm Beach pharmacy.
The case highlights the ongoing intersection of personal health and public accountability for one of the most recognisable figures in sport. As Woods prepares to formally enter his new plea, the proceedings in Martin County will determine the next steps in a legal process that has already drawn significant institutional scrutiny.
