Tiger Woods Pleads Not Guilty to DUI Charges Following Florida Rollover Crash
Tiger Woods has pleaded “not guilty” to DUI charges following his March 27 rollover crash in Florida, according to TMZ sports.
The 50‑year‑old golfer has again retained criminal defense attorney Douglas Duncan, who previously represented Woods during his 2017 DUI case. According to court records, Duncan filed a written plea of not guilty and a waiver of Woods’ presence at pretrial proceedings. A pretrial conference was held March 31; Woods did not appear. Duncan’s office declined to comment.
Woods is facing two charges: DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a urine test at the station.
Although he passed a breathalyzer at the scene with a blood‑alcohol level of 0.00, the arrest affidavit states that officers found two loose hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket after the crash. Hydrocodone is an opioid used to treat severe pain and coughs. When asked about prescription drugs, Woods allegedly replied, “I take a few.”
The police reported that Woods appeared “lethargic and slow” with “severe signs of impairment.” Additionally, they said he was sweating profusely, despite sitting in the back of a vehicle with cool air circulating. His eyes were reportedly bloodshot with dilated pupils, which was shown in the mugshot released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Woods has said the crash occurred when he looked down at his phone to change the radio station and did not realize the car in front of him had slowed down. He informed the officers that he had taken his prescribed medication earlier that day but is sober.
A court hearing is scheduled for April 23 at 8:30 a.m. Court documents show Woods has waived arraignment and is requesting a jury trial.