Tiger Woods is scheduled to appear in court for a change-of-plea hearing stemming from his March DUI arrest on Jupiter Island, according to court documents. The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. before Judge Darren Steele at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart, Florida. Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed a notice moving the appearance up from a previously scheduled date, listing the subject of the proceeding as a change of plea.
Tiger Woods Set for Court Appearance in Florida DUI Case
The 50-year-old golf champion initially entered written not guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test following the March 27 incident. Legal observers note that a docket describing a change of plea often indicates a defendant may enter a plea or that a sentence could be imposed, though filings from defense counsel also referenced the proceeding as a plea conference. It remained unclear whether Woods had reached a negotiated agreement with prosecutors prior to the court date.
Details of the March Rollover Crash on South Beach Road
The charges originate from a single-vehicle rollover crash that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on South Beach Road. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Woods was driving a Land Rover at a high speed when he approached a pickup truck towing a pressure-cleaning trailer that was preparing to turn into a driveway. Woods attempted to pass the vehicle, crossed double solid lines, and clipped the back of the trailer. The impact caused the trailer to crash and Woods’ SUV to roll onto its side, resulting in $5,000 worth of damage to the truck.
Woods, who was alone in the vehicle, crawled out through the passenger-side door and was not injured in the wreck. Responding deputies reported signs of impairment, noting that Woods appeared lethargic with bloodshot, glassy eyes, and extremely dilated pupils. Investigators stated that two hydrocodone pills were found in his pocket. Woods told deputies he was distracted at the time because he was looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station.
Breathalyzer Results and Subsequent Refusal of Urine Testing
Following the crash, authorities administered a breath test that registered a 0.00 blood-alcohol content, indicating no alcohol in his system. However, Woods refused to provide a urine sample. When questioned by investigators about prescription drugs, Woods stated that he took medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol, along with ibuprofen and Vicodin. Investigators subsequently suspected he may have been impaired by medication rather than alcohol.
Throughout the legal proceedings, prosecutors pursued various records related to the case. A judge granted orders allowing prosecutors to obtain Woods’ prescription records from Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach and medical records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital following his post-arrest hospital visit. Additionally, Woods was issued a traffic citation for careless driving, which carries a civil penalty.
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