Florida judge allows prosecutors access to Tiger Woods’ prescription records in DUI case
that the state does have *** compelling interest to the information that we’re seeking. Is that correct, Mr. Duncan? The defense agrees there’s *** compelling interest to turn over the prescription records. Judge, we have filed *** response objecting, noting that Mr. Woods has *** constitutional right to privacy in the records. In the response, we acknowledge that that privacy right is not absolute. Should the state make *** compelling need for the records on relevancy grounds, as we’re all aware, that is *** very low burden for the state to establish that relevancy. For the records and I have had discussions with the prosecutors in terms of the relevancy arguments and therefore I advised them yesterday that in good faith I could not continue to make that objection. However, as was put in my response, I’m asking for *** protective order to govern who can view these records, etc. under the case law, and I have the case law for you. State versus Tomolonis from the 2nd District and Gore v. State from the 4th District that acknowledges that an individual does have *** constitutional right to privacy in the records and that it by agreeing to the state to issue the subpoena does not waive that right as to the general public having access to the records. So I’m requesting that as part of the order authorizing the issuance of the subpoena. That the order include that the records obtained by the state can be shared by their law enforcement people, their experts, shared with me and no one else. If anybody wants to make *** claim to view the records outside of the parties here, then they should do what the state has done, file *** motion seeking to compel, uh, the ability to see that. So with that caveat. Your position? Yes, Your Honor. Based on the ruling in state versus Tommy Lawless, um, and I’m gonna get the citation for the record, 39773 524, Florida Second District Court of Appeal 2010, the state in good faith cannot object to the defendant’s assertion that while the state is legally entitled to the records, the defendant still maintains *** constitutional privacy interest in the prescription records as it pertains to the general public. Very good. So it sounds like both parties are in agreement. Um, are there any issues you need the court to decide on this other than the ones you’ve agreed? Well then, first, let me thank both sides for their professionalism and preparation. The court will go ahead and order orally from the bench that the state’s motion is granted by stipulation that the subpoena shall issue, and if you have one, I’ll go ahead and sign it. Yes, please, thank you. And further, the court accepts the stipulation to the protective order, uh, as to both sides. Let’s see what this is. Yes, didn’t print, Your Honor. We had *** copy of it for you, but, but the printer is not working. No worries, I’ll go ahead and, uh, count on both attorneys to submit one later on today, and I’ll be glad to review it and sign it. Judge. I haven’t, but I wrote in handwritten in the edition that the state requested. Let me take it that that’s acceptable. Thank you, sir. Thank you. I check it up All right. By agreement, I’ll go ahead and sign this order. And again, thank you to both sides for their courtesy. State anything additional? No, defense, anything additional? No sir. Thank you folks. The Court will stand in recess. All right.
Florida judge allows prosecutors access to Tiger Woods’ prescription records in DUI case
Updated: 11:45 AM EDT May 12, 2026
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A Martin County 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 on Tuesday, 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 on Jupiter Island, 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.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
A Martin County 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 on Tuesday, 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 on Jupiter Island, 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.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.