A Florida judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors may obtain the prescription medication records of Tiger Woods for use in his DUI case [1].
The decision allows the state to examine whether specific medications contributed to the golfer's alleged impairment, potentially shifting the evidentiary weight of the prosecution.
Judge Christopher Kavanaugh of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court issued the ruling in Palm Beach County [1], [2]. The legal battle stems from a March 2026 arrest where Woods was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence [1].
Prosecutors said that the medical records are essential to determining the athlete's state of mind and physical condition at the time of the incident [1], [2]. The court found that the need for this evidence outweighs the privacy protections typically afforded to medical records in this specific legal context [1], [2].
"Prescription drug records can be used in a DUI case if they are relevant to the alleged impairment," Kavanaugh said [1].
The ruling removes a significant hurdle for the Florida State Attorney's Office, which sought the documents to build a more comprehensive case regarding impairment. A spokesperson for the office said the court determined the records are admissible and not protected by privacy statutes in this context [2].
Woods' legal team had previously sought to keep the medical history private, but the judge decided the evidentiary relevance of the drugs was the priority. The case continues to move through the Florida court system as the trial date approaches [1], [2].
“"Prescription drug records can be used in a DUI case if they are relevant to the alleged impairment."”
This ruling underscores the legal precedent that medical privacy is not absolute when it conflicts with the state's ability to prove impairment in a criminal case. By granting access to prescription history, the court is enabling prosecutors to argue that legal medications can still result in a DUI if they impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
