Golf legend Tiger Woods is set to make his first court
appearance following his arrest on DUI-related charges after a serious car
crash earlier this year.
Woods, 50, was arrested on March 27 after reportedly
losing control of his SUV while attempting to overtake a truck and trailer at
high speed in the affluent Jupiter Island area.
Police reportedly found two opioid painkillers in his
possession following the crash. He was subsequently charged with driving under
the influence, property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test.
Nearly five months after the incident, Woods is
expected to appear in court in early September as prosecutors continue their
investigation into the case.
The golfer will be represented by attorney Douglas
Duncan. Woods has waived his arraignment and requested a jury trial.
The court appearance had reportedly been postponed
several times while authorities continued gathering evidence related to the
crash.
Woods’ most recent hearing took place on August 4,
following a July ruling that allowed prosecutors to obtain medical records
connected to the accident.
Martin County Circuit Court Judge Darren Steele
approved an agreement between the State Attorney’s Office and Woods’ legal
team, allowing prosecutors to request records from the hospital where the
15-time major champion was treated after the crash.
A similar agreement was approved in May, giving
prosecutors access to Woods’ prescription medication records from a Palm Beach
pharmacy covering the period from January 1 until the date of the crash.
Prosecutors and Woods’ lawyers have also agreed to a
protective order restricting access to the medical and prescription records.
The documents will only be available to the State Attorney’s Office, law
enforcement officials, state experts and the defence team.
The crash occurred as Woods was reportedly preparing
for a return to competitive golf, with the 15-time major champion widely
expected to feature at The Masters before the incident.
His upcoming court appearance could provide the first
major development in the legal case since his arrest.
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