By now you’ve probably heard that Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer of his generation, was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing his vehicle in Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods was not impaired by alcohol, as screenings found he had zero alcohol in his system, but it became obvious to officers on the scene that he was physically and mentally impaired as a result of a different substance. They found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket during a search, and Woods admitted that he took other prescription medications earlier in the day to help with discomfort from previous injuries and surgeries. The pills appeared to have a major impact on Woods, who had bloodshot and glassy eyes, dilated pupils, slurred speech and struggled to follow deputies’ commands during field sobriety tests. You can see highlights from the traffic stop below.
What’s Next For Woods?
Woods was officially charged with two misdemeanor offenses – driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a lawful test – and he pleaded not guilty to both charges. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed a waiver of arraignment, meaning Woods would not have to appear in court for an initial hearing. They also requested a trial by jury in Martin County court. Woods’ next court hearing is scheduled for May 5.
The judge overseeing the case also granted Woods’ request to seek pre-trial treatment out of the country. His private jet landed in Zurich, Switzerland, late last week, where the 15-time major winner is expected to enter treatment for substance abuse.
“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” Woods said in a statement on social media. “This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
Given Woods’ track record (he’s had previous traffic issues, including rolling a vehicle in 2021 and pleading guilty to a reckless driving charge in 2017 that was very similar to this most recent arrest), it seems unlikely that he’ll be able to win this case in court. However, his attorney is playing this one perfectly from the get-go. He sent his client off to seek substance abuse treatment and showcased to the court with both action and words that overcoming this substance abuse battle is a priority. Judges like to see clients who are committed to putting the mistake behind them by making smart choices when it comes to pre-trial rehabilitation programs, so this will undoubtedly help Woods in court. He’s probably not going to beat the charges, but he should be able to earn a more favorable plea deal or a lighter sentence.
Given his status and financial means, it seems likely that he’ll be given some strict probation protocols and be required to complete certain programs in order to avoid jail and earn his license back. We also expect a healthy dose of community service and screenings for drugs and alcohol. Jail time seems like a bit of a stretch given his celebrity and the fact that he can probably do much more good for the community with public service messages or other community work, but it’s not out of the question. We expect a quiet resolution to come of this eventually, and hopefully Woods’ time in Switzerland truly is a launching pad for expelling his demons and getting back on the right path.
We’ll keep tabs on the case, and as always, if you or someone you know needs help with a traffic case or a DWI charge of their own, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
