Full Breakdown
Florida Judge Allows Prosecutors Access to Tiger Woods' Hospital Records in DUI Case
7/3/2026, 3:09:30 AM
Incident Overview
On March 27, 2026, Woods’ Land Rover rolled onto its side on South Beach Road, Jupiter Island, after traveling above the 30 mph limit and striking a truck’s trailer, causing about $5,000 in damage. Deputies found two hydrocodone pills, noted “glassy and bloodshot” eyes with “extremely dilated” pupils, and observed impairment. Woods took a breathalyzer that read 0.00 % BAC but refused a urine test. He was charged with misdemeanor DUI and refusal to submit to a test.
Legal Developments
Judge Darren Steele approved a June 23 order allowing the State Attorney’s Office to subpoena Woods’ medical records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital, targeting statements about alcohol or drug use and any drug-screen results from the March 27 hospitalization. A protective order limits access to prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, experts, and Woods’ defense, and requires advance notice before any record is used. The order follows a May 12 ruling that already gave prosecutors Woods’ prescription-medication records for Jan-Mar 2026.
Background & Context
Woods suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 single-vehicle crash and recently sought inpatient rehabilitation abroad after the March incident. He traveled overseas for treatment before returning to Florida. The May 12 ruling and June 23 subpoena reflect a prosecutorial push to obtain all health-related evidence for the DUI case.
Key Figures
Key figures include Tiger Woods (defendant), Judge Darren Steele (Martin County Circuit Judge), defense attorney Doug Duncan, the State Attorney’s Office (prosecutors), and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (arresting agency).
Official Statements & Responses
The State Attorney’s filing says the subpoena seeks reports documenting Woods’ statements about alcohol or drug use and any drug-screen results. Judge Steele’s protective order emphasizes that the records are confidential and may not be shared beyond the designated parties. Defense attorney Doug Duncan stressed that disclosure is limited to prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, experts, and the defense. The sheriff’s report described Woods’ eyes as glassy and bloodshot, with extremely dilated pupils during the field-sobriety test.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One affidavit says Woods “refused all medical treatment” after the crash, yet other filings confirm he received care and was discharged. The hospital records’ contents remain undisclosed, leaving uncertainty about drug-screen results.
Verbatim Quotes
- “he takes medication for high blood pressure, cholesterol, ibuprofen and Vicodin.” — Tiger Woods, Defendant
- “His eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his pupils “extremely dilated,” records show.” — Martin County Sheriff’s Office report
- “reports documenting statements of the patient regarding alcohol or chemical substances use … any and all drug screen results” — State Attorney’s Office filing
- “The records must remain confidential and cannot be shared beyond those parties.” — Judge Darren Steele, protective order
What’s Next
A status hearing is set for August 4. The court will decide if the records can be introduced as evidence. Prosecutors say the records could be pivotal; the defense is expected to challenge their admissibility. Woods maintains a not-guilty plea.
