STUART, Fla. — A judge on Tuesday ordered that Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records be released to prosecutors following his March arrest in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement between Woods’ defense attorney and prosecutors during a four-minute hearing in Martin County circuit court, located just north of Palm Beach County.
Prosecutors issued a subpoena seeking copies of Woods’ prescription medication records from a Palm Beach pharmacy covering the period from the start of the year through the end of March. Defense attorney Doug Duncan had argued that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy over his prescription records but said during the hearing that the right is not absolute and that prosecutors could present a compelling need for the information.
Prosecutors agreed to a protective order requested by the defense that limits access to the records to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, state experts and Woods’ legal team.
Woods has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A sheriff’s office report stated that deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a truck’s trailer and rolled onto its side.
Authorities said Woods was driving at high speed on a residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph (nearly 50 kph) speed limit when his Land Rover struck the trailer, causing about $5,000 in damage.
Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no presence of alcohol but refused to take a urine test, according to authorities.
