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A Florida judge on Tuesday granted prosecutors access to Tiger Woods’ prescription records in his DUI case, while also approving protections to keep those records from public release.The ruling came during a brief hearing that lasted about five minutes. Woods was not in the courtroom, but an attorney representing the professional athlete was there on his behalf.Judge Darren Steele granted the prosecution’s motion for subpoenas after both sides agreed prosecutors had shown enough relevance to obtain the records. The defense, while no longer objecting to the records being turned over, asked the court to limit who could see them.“The court will go ahead and rule from the bench that the state’s motion is granted by stipulation and the subpoenas issued,” Steele said in court.The order allows prosecutors to seek Woods’ prescription records from a Palm Beach pharmacy dating back to the beginning of the year.Defense attorneys argued Woods still has a constitutional privacy interest in his medical records, even if prosecutors are legally entitled to obtain them. Prosecutors agreed the records should not be open to the general public.The judge accepted both sides’ agreement on a protective order, meaning the records may be shared only with people directly involved in the case, including prosecutors, law enforcement, experts and the defense.The records could include information such as the number of pills prescribed, dosage amounts, and medication instructions or warnings.The issue stems from Woods’ March crash, where he was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Although Woods registered 0.0 on a breath test, prosecutors have argued he may have been impaired by something other than alcohol. Deputies also said they found pain medication in his pocket during the arrest.With the subpoenas approved, the records can now be gathered and reviewed as the case moves forward.
A Florida judge on Tuesday granted prosecutors access to Tiger Woods’ prescription records in his DUI case, while also approving protections to keep those records from public release.
The ruling came during a brief hearing that lasted about five minutes.
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Woods was not in the courtroom, but an attorney representing the professional athlete was there on his behalf.
Judge Darren Steele granted the prosecution’s motion for subpoenas after both sides agreed prosecutors had shown enough relevance to obtain the records. The defense, while no longer objecting to the records being turned over, asked the court to limit who could see them.
“The court will go ahead and rule from the bench that the state’s motion is granted by stipulation and the subpoenas issued,” Steele said in court.
The order allows prosecutors to seek Woods’ prescription records from a Palm Beach pharmacy dating back to the beginning of the year.
Defense attorneys argued Woods still has a constitutional privacy interest in his medical records, even if prosecutors are legally entitled to obtain them. Prosecutors agreed the records should not be open to the general public.
The judge accepted both sides’ agreement on a protective order, meaning the records may be shared only with people directly involved in the case, including prosecutors, law enforcement, experts and the defense.
The records could include information such as the number of pills prescribed, dosage amounts, and medication instructions or warnings.
The issue stems from Woods’ March crash, where he was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Although Woods registered 0.0 on a breath test, prosecutors have argued he may have been impaired by something other than alcohol. Deputies also said they found pain medication in his pocket during the arrest.
With the subpoenas approved, the records can now be gathered and reviewed as the case moves forward.
